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Firefighter Brandie Smith walks by the remains of a structure destroyed in the Black Forest wildfire north of Colorado Springs last month. More than 500 homes have been lost to wildfire in the state this year.

Despite Hefty Payouts, Fire Insurance Costs Hold Steady

The insurance industry is bracing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in claims to people whose homes were destroyed in major forest fires. But with government policies that indirectly encourage building in high-risk areas, insurance premiums for those living in the woods are unlikely to rise much.

An aerial tanker drops fire retardant on a wildfire threatening homes near Yarnell, Ariz., on July 1. An elite crew of firefighters was overtaken by the out-of-control blaze on June 30, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields.

The New World Of Firefighting: Politics, Climate And Humans

Writer and photojournalist Michael Kodas says forest management, climate change and growing population complicate fire fighting.

At The Trial Of Whitey Bulger

The trial of one of America's most notorious crime bosses continues tomorrow, with a former Bulger henchman expected to take the stand. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks to Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen, who has been reporting on the Bulger trial and live-tweeting court proceedings.

Syrian Opposition Elects New Leader

Meeting in Istanbul, opposition figures elected Ahmad al-Jabra, a tribal figure with close ties to Saudi Arabia.

A supporter of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi stands guard at a barricade near Cairo University, where protesters have installed their camp in Giza, southwest of Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday.

Rivals Rally In Cairo As Egypt Uncertainty Continues

An attempt to install Mohamed ElBaradei as interim prime minister was stalled after an Islamist group objected to the Nobel laureate. State media and other sources had confirmed the appointment on Saturday, but later in the day the president's spokesperson walked it back.

Asiana Airlines Flight 214 from Seoul, South Korea, crashed at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday. Two of the 307 people on board were confirmed dead.

Asiana Flight Tried To Abort Landing Seconds Before Crash

At a Sunday news conference, the head of the NTSB also said that about 7 seconds prior to impact there was a call to increase speed on the jetliner. Saturday's crash at San Francisco airport killed two Chinese teenagers and injured dozens of others.

Firefighters douse flames after a freight train loaded with oil derailed in Lac-Megantic in Canada's Quebec province on Saturday.

Quebec Town Still Ablaze After Runaway Train Explosion

The death toll has risen to three after a train carrying crude oil derailed in Quebec on Saturday. The blistering explosion destroyed a town center, and officials say the ongoing fires are keeping rescuers from searching the rest of the train.

Random Acts Of Tipping

Since his brother's death a year ago, Seth Collins has been touring the country giving $500 tips to restaurant servers, the last request in his brother's will. He aims to hit all 50 states by the end of the year. Collins speaks to Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin.

Police and emergency personnel stand near the remains of a fixed-wing aircraft that was engulfed in flames Sunday at the Soldotna Airport in Alaska.

10 Killed In Crash Of Alaska Air Taxi

In one of the worst accidents in a state with a history of small plane crashes, the aircraft went down at the small airport in Soldotna. Located on the Kennai Peninsula, Soldatna is about 75 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

Another month means another genre-spanning mix of new music chosen by public radio's top DJs. Download new songs by Neko Case, Jason Marsalis, Valerie June, Porter Ray and many other artists.

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