  We investigate finite-temperature transitions in SU(3) lattice gauge theories
with Nf=8 and 12 staggered fermions in the fundamental representation. For both
of these systems, we have observed a strongly-coupled lattice phase in which
the single-site shift symmetry of the staggered action is spontaneously broken.
Here we report new results for finite-temperature transitions on 24^3x12 and
32^3x16 lattice volumes, contrasting the 8- and 12-flavor systems. While the
Nf=12 finite-temperature transitions accumulate at the bulk transition bounding
the strongly-coupled lattice phase, the Nf=8 finite-temperature transitions are
able to pass through the bulk transition, and behave as expected for a QCD-like
system. We discuss our current results and the work in progress to complete our
investigation of the finite-temperature phase diagram.
