A nearly 300-year-old bur oak at Detroit’s Elmwood Cemetery is being mourned after a powerful storm caused serious damage to the historic tree.

The tree was one of 19 trees lost at the cemetery when a tornado went through Detroit’s east side last month.

Officials say strong winds caused widespread damage. The historic bur oak suffered a large, irreparable split at the base of its trunk.

The tree was believed to be about 280 years old, meaning it was already roughly a century old when Elmwood Cemetery was established.

The cemetery held a memorial service for the tree, led by death and grief doula Kristy Sue Bishop.

Bishop says that natural spaces can be very important for people going through sadness or grief.

“I know many people come here and carry heavy feelings, and I think the trees are just one of the natural things people turn to when they’re feeling overwhelmed, she says.

Detroiter Josh Bono says he was immediately drawn to the bur oak. “I was amazed to find out that it’s older than the cemetery itself. I felt really moved by an ancient presence…or as close to one as we can get out here.”

Elmwood is an 86-acre cemetery and arboretum. Officials say replacing lost trees and caring for damaged ones has become an increasing part of maintaining the grounds.

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.

We’ve living in a time where quiet, contemplative music is making a big impact on listeners.

I call it the “Khruangbin effect,” where the Texas (mainly) instrumental trio blend dub, reggae, ’60s psych rock, Thai pop, and other global influences and bring it together in a way that has allowed them to reach millions of streams, millions of fans, and sell out massive theaters around the world. 

What if that slick laidback song playing in the background at just the right level at that fancy restaurant you like was also your favorite band? They’re cool yet also fully adopted by Phish fans. It’s a stunning development.

I can’t think of another band that presents mostly instrumental tracks but has had such a glow up, although Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela comes to mind.

That means Khruangbin (and others) have opened doors for others doing instrumental music. One of the first that comes to mind is Hermanos Gutiérrez, the insanely attractive Swiss-Ecuadorian sibling duo Estevan and Alejandro Gutiérrez. Their album ‘Los Ojos Del Cóndor’ released Sept. 25, 2026 via Easy Eye Sound (the label of Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, who might be a better A&R guy than anything else).

Their single, “Los Andes,” is a great example of this wave of instrumental music making an impact in pop culture. With the interplay of guitar and lap steel, it’s cinematic and vast (much like the mountain range it’s named after). It’s capable of grabbing your full attention even without lyrics.

While I doubt this would make waves on commercial radio, it’s popular on public radio throughout the country and starting to infiltrate major swaths of music fans — many of whom likely listen to Khruangbin and Phish.

That’s right — I’m talking about Jack Johnson fans. Johnson recently collaborated with Hermanos Gutiérrez and took them on tour. It’s actually an endlessly sweet full circle story, with the brothers growing up idealizing Johnson and finally getting to collab with their hero.

With the door wide open for instrumental bands to find footing with new audiences, Hermanos Gutiérrez is by far one of the most captivating entries into this bubbling up genre. They’re great storytellers… even without uttering a word.

This story was originally published on Midbrow. 

Jerome Vaughn will tell you it all started with a Panasonic ball-and-chain radio gifted to him by his mother. He was hooked on the voices and foley art that created clear pictures in his mind, all through sound alone.

 ”I was one of those kids who slept with a radio on my nightstand. And even now, I’m one of those people, if I’m driving around late at night, I’m flipping around on the AM radio to see what station I can get from how far away.”

Now, Jerome looks back on a celebrated career in radio news on the brink of retirement. He’s spent 34 years at WDET, where he got to tell the real stories of his hometown. During his time at the station, he’s been an intern, an underwriter, a producer, a reporter, senior news editor, assistant news director…

And he’s spent over 20 years as WDET’s news director.

“WDET is really a special place,” said Jerome. “And Detroit is my favorite place on the face of the Earth.”

Detroit born and raised, Jerome has always held his hometown close. He recalls how media once depicted only the worst of Detroit—sometimes fabricating things altogether to push the narrative of it being a dangerous place, beyond redemption. He worked to set the record straight.

While he covered insightful stories about the metro Detroit region, he worked to make sure that people of color had a voice in news. As a part of that mission, he founded WDET’s Detroit Evening Report Program that tells news for and by people of color.

His dedication to ethical, accurate reporting has earned him many recognitions over the years, including awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Associated Press, and Society of Professional Journalists. In 2018, he was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.

Jerome is also a passionate mentor for WDET interns and beyond. He’s helped kickstart many careers in broadcast, and is always ready to help more young journalists build the skills and networks needed to enter the field.

“I knew that I wasn’t gonna be here, working at WDET in my 90s. I want to make sure that there’s quality public radio being created, you know, so that I can enjoy it after I’ve retired,” Jerome said with a wry smile.

“Jerome’s impact on WDET is deep and lasting. Futhermore, the whole Detroit journalism industry owes a lot to this man, who lives and breathes news. WDET will do its best to continue along the path Jerome helped set while missing his wisdom and humor,” said General Manager Mary Zatina.

Jerome’s final broadcast on WDET will be Monday, Aug. 17 for All Things Considered – Detroit, from 3-7 p.m.

A lasting legacy

At a retirement celebration on Aug. 14, Jerome was surprised with the creation of a permanent internship in his name, honoring his decades of mentorship and the many WDET interns he has helped launch into their careers. The Jerome Vaughn Internship was made possible through gifts from generous WDET donors and members of the newsroom.