USA Today Top Online Stories: Thu 9/09/10

The USA Today lead headline online early Thursday morning says "This summer really was hotter than others." The paper says the intense heat this summer wasn't a mirage for the tens of millions of people in the eastern and southern USA.

It says more young couples are trying long-distance relationships.

The paper says just when its future looked to be in doubt, automakers are putting some new life in the old V-8.

It says in response to a Yahoo! Sports report that said the Heisman Trophy Trust was planning on stripping Reggie Bush of his Heisman Trophy, the Saints running back said Wednesday that the issue is out of his hands.

The paper says President Obama challenged Republicans on Wednesday to join him in expanding business tax breaks, building roads and rails, and cutting taxes on the middle class — policies he ascribed to past Republican presidents.

And the most popular story on USA Today says plan to burn Qurans ignites debate on rights.