The Trump administration has cancelled a $750 million award to Moderna to create an mRNA vaccine for bird flu in humans. A $590 million award was given to Moderna during Joe Biden’s last week in office. He previously awarded Moderna a separate $176 million award a year earlier. HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon stated, “After a rigorous review, we concluded that continued investment in Moderna’s H5N1 mRNA vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable,” “This is not simply about efficacy — it’s about safety, integrity, and trust. The reality is that mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimate safety concerns from the public,” added Nixon. NEW — HHS Cancels Moderna’s $700M mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine Deal pic.twitter.com/1dEOEwPnr7 — Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) May 29, 2025 Per Fox News: President Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is terminating awards totaling more than $750 million dollars that were provided to pharmaceutical manufacturer Moderna to help facilitate its production of mRNA-based bird flu vaccines. During President Joe Biden’s final week in office, his administration awarded $590 million to Moderna to help speed up its production of mRNA-based vaccines. The $590 million award followed a separate $176 million award Biden gave to Moderna earlier last year for mRNA vaccine technology. Messenger RNA vaccines are a newer type of vaccine technology, which was utilized by companies like Moderna and Pfizer to develop their COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine technology was at the center of a lot of criticism amid the coronavirus pandemic for potentially being associated with adverse side effects in some people who took them, such as myocarditis. Trump administration officials previously hinted at the potential that this funding could be terminated, citing a lack of oversight during the Biden administration pertaining to vaccine production. “After a rigorous review, we concluded that continued investment in Moderna’s H5N1 mRNA vaccine was not scientifically or ethically justifiable,” HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon said. “This is not simply about efficacy — it’s about safety, integrity, and trust. The reality is that mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimate safety concerns from the public.” REPORT: HHS cancels Moderna’s $590M bird flu vaccine award — Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) May 29, 2025 Here’s what Axios reported: The Trump administration canceled a nearly $600 million award to Moderna to develop an mRNA vaccine for bird flu in humans, the company announced Wednesday. It ends one of the remaining Biden-era efforts aimed at creating vaccines for pandemic preparedness. But the company said it would explore alternatives for further developing and manufacturing the shot. Moderna reported positive early stage data on the mRNA vaccine, saying clinical testing in roughly 300 adults was found to be generally well-tolerated. Participants achieved 98% immunity within three weeks of the second dose of the vaccine, the company said. “While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis of the Phase 1/2 study of our H5 avian flu vaccine and we will explore alternative paths forward for the program,” Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said in a statement. “These clinical data in pandemic influenza underscore the critical role mRNA technology has played as a countermeasure to emerging health threats.”

Anti-Elon Musk demonstrators across the US have taken out their aggressions on Tesla dealership and owners with a series of destructive protests in recent months. While many in the mainstream media have downplayed or even excused such acts, one former CNN personality is singing a different tune now that he’s been on the receiving end of the leftist mob. As the Daily Wire reported: Former CNN politics reporter Chris Cillizza revealed on Wednesday that his Tesla was vandalized with a “Musk is a Nazi” sign at his son’s soccer tournament last weekend. Cillizza, a left-wing journalist who worked for CNN from 2017 until 2022, wrote on his Substack that the vandalism is another sign that the politicization of every aspect of American life “is making us all crazy.” Cillizza recalled the days when owning a Tesla meant “coding yourself as like an enviro-liberal-wacko-communist,” and now, in 2025, his car “symbolizes everything the left hates.” “Doesn’t that suggest that there’s an inherent ephemeralness to what an inanimate object ‘means’ in a political context?” Cillizza added. “As in: If the meaning of owning a certain kind of car can change 180 degrees in the space of five years, isn’t it possible that ascribing meaning to it in the first place was misguided?” In reality, he only bought it as a “cool” car that was really “fun to drive,” not as a “symbol of my support for Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration.” Anti-Tesla activists have sparked significant social media backlash over the past few months: Telsa protestors with HUGE signs openly calling for everyone to “Burn a Tesla, Save Democracy” Where is the FBI? Where is the DOJ? We know Democrats are PAYING FOR protestors with their NGO laundered money and Democrat donors This is Domestic Terrorismpic.twitter.com/Xn6FCCmAV5 — Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 29, 2025 HOLY SHT Multiple protestors arrested at Tesla for acting like a bunch of psychos PROTECT ELON MUSK AT ALL COSTS pic.twitter.com/BnMiZFiRTl — MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) March 9, 2025 WOW! Will Johnson shuts down radical anti-American Tesla protest in Austin Texas. pic.twitter.com/Dut9ndiV9y — Mr. Will Johnson (@ImMrWillJohnson) May 25, 2025 The anti-Tesla sentiment has gone global, as CBS News recently reported: Sales of Tesla vehicles in 32 European countries tumbled 49% to 7,261 in April from 14,228 in the same month the previous year, according to the figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA. At the same time, sales of battery-electric vehicles by all manufacturers rose about 28%, the group’s data shows. The numbers are the latest indication of how much the Tesla brand is suffering because of the backlash against billionaire CEO Elon Musk over his far-right views. Crowds have gathered at Tesla dealershipsin both Europe and the U.S., with protesters objecting to Musk’s work with President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed the U.S. federal workforce and been the subject of multiple lawsuits. The protesters are aiming at Tesla to dent Musk’s fortunes, given that much of his wealth is tied up in shares of the electric vehicle maker. Here’s what Cillizza had to say about the experience:

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed legislation establishing the nation’s first tax on tourists related to climate change. The first-of-its-kind ‘green fee’ incorporates a tax on hotel room and vacation rental stays to fund climate change projects. “It’s important so people see that where we have shoreline erosion near hotels, we’re able to protect these incredible assets,“ Green said, according to Hawaii News Now. ”Where we have people being displaced, we’re able to help them, where we see sea level rise coming up, we can adapt and we can actually have these resources from the hard monies and also likely bonds from these dollars to help us go forward with large projects as the legislature sees fit as the people across our state express need,” he added. WATCH: Democrat Governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, has officially signed the first climate change tax in the U.S. into law. Labeled a “green fee,” the tax will target tourists on Hawaii Island, requiring them to contribute for their carbon footprint. Cruise ship passengers will also be… pic.twitter.com/wpX2pTN60Q — Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) May 29, 2025 From Hawaii News Now: Starting Jan. 1, visitors staying at Hawaii hotels and short-term rentals will have to pay an added 0.75% to the existing transient accommodations tax (TAT). That means a $400 night stay would cost an additional $3. Advocates say it’s a small price to pay to protect the aina. “If we don’t do proper destination management, if we don’t keep our beaches properly tended to, if we don’t make sure the parks are perfect, people will stop coming here,” Green said. Starting in 2026, tourists in land accommodations won’t be the only ones paying the transient accommodations tax. For the first time, cruise ship passengers will too, prorated for the number of days their vessel is in a Hawaii port. The fee is expected to raise about $100 million a year for projects that include fortifying fire breaks, upgrading technology, and combating erosion and invasive species. Green said his climate advisory team will work with lawmakers, state agencies and land owners to set priorities. LUNACY: Hawaii will now charge a "climate impact fee" on visitors. This tax will fund "climate change" projects, and be collected on travelers staying in hotels, vacation rentals and cruise ships. pic.twitter.com/ZQX2cldQPf — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 29, 2025 Per USA TODAY: Previously, cruise ship passengers had bypassed the TAT, but the new law seeks to promote “equity across the tourism industry” by ensuring all travelers contribute to protecting the islands’ economic and natural resources. The bill came as a response to the growing frequency of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, specifically the 2023 Maui wildfires, the deadliest wildfire in the country in over a century that decimated the community of Lahaina. In just hours, over 100 people were killed with homes, businesses and cultural sites burnt to ashes. After the fires, the governor formed the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) to develop climate disaster policy recommendations. A key measure from the group was to secure a source of funding for climate change mitigation and disaster relief, according to the release. “The Green Fee bill marks a historic investment in climate disaster resilience and environmental protection,” said Chris Benjamin, the leader of CAT, in a statement. “Using the TAT to fund resiliency projects ensures that the financial burden of safeguarding our aina (island) and people doesn’t fall upon residents alone. We thank the legislature, industry and countless community groups and individuals who advocated tirelessly for this bill.”

President Donald Trump has declared victory after a ruling came down that will allow his lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board to continue. 

CVS Health has announced they are closing over 200 stores in 2025 as a part of an ongoing effort to “realign” their retail footprint. 

The Battle Between Guitars and Synths in the 1980s Will Blow Your MindIn the 1980s, something big happened to music. It got shinier. It got weirder. And it definitely got more electronic. Synthesizers and drum machines started popping up everywhere, blasting from boomboxes and lighting up dance floors. But even with all that new technology, one thing didn’t go away—the guitar. That six-string icon, already worshipped in the '60s and '70s, refused to step back. Instead, guitarists got louder, faster, and flashier, fighting for a place in a world filled with glowing buttons and robotic beats. This is the story of how guitars didn’t just survive the 1980s—they thrived in their own electric way.Synths Rise, But the Guitar Fights BackAs the 80s kicked off, a lot of bands ditched traditional instruments in favor of slick, futuristic sounds. It was the age of the synthesizer. With one keyboard, a musician could suddenly sound like an entire band. Songs like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and “Tainted Love” were everywhere. They were catchy. They were cool. And they didn’t have much guitar at all.But guitarists didn’t sit around and sulk. Instead, they turned up the volume and leaned into a bigger, bolder sound. Hair metal exploded—bands like Van Halen, Poison, and Mötley Crüe shredded their way into stadiums with wailing solos, crunchy riffs, and bright, neon guitars. These guys weren’t afraid of the synth wave. They wanted to drown it out.Even pop artists who loved synths still made room for guitar. Hall and Oates, with their polished, radio-ready hits, often had tasty little licks tucked into the mix. Prince, who could play almost any instrument, made his guitar sing, scream, and sparkle, even while swimming in a sea of synths. The guitar wasn’t just surviving—it was showing off.Guitar Heroes Step into the SpotlightOne reason guitars stuck around in the synth-heavy 80s? The players. This was the era of the guitar hero. These weren’t just musicians—they were legends with giant hair, tight pants, and lightning-fast fingers. They turned playing guitar into a kind of magic trick. Eddie Van Halen melted faces with solos that sounded like spaceships taking off. Steve Vai looked like he was sent from another planet. Even in the synthiest songs, fans waited for that moment when everything paused…and the guitar tore through.Guitarists also started playing with more toys. Pedals, amps, and effects racks gave them tools to change their sound completely. They could add echo, distortion, and even weird pitch-shifting effects to keep up with all the spacey synth sounds. Suddenly, guitars didn’t sound like old rock machines anymore—they sounded brand new.And it wasn’t just hard rockers grabbing guitars. New wave bands like The Cure and The Smiths leaned on jangly, chorus-soaked guitar tones. Their sounds were dreamy and layered, standing shoulder to shoulder with synths instead of fighting them. It was clear: if you had the right tools and the right style, guitars could still be the star.Bass Gets a 1980s MakeoverWhile lead guitarists were stealing the show, bass players weren’t exactly sitting quietly in the corner. They were getting a style upgrade too. The 80s gave us slap bass, funk grooves, and some truly wild-looking instruments. And in the middle of it all came a little revolution that made a big impact: the short scale bass guitar.Smaller, lighter, and easier to handle, this bass wasn’t just for beginners. It had a tight, punchy tone that fit perfectly into the slick production of 80s tracks. Bands wanted their basslines to pop without getting muddy, and short scale models delivered. From punk to funk, this style of bass helped define the groove of a whole decade.It also looked cool—something that definitely mattered in the 80s. Whether it was painted in bright colors or shaped like a weapon from a sci-fi movie, it fit right in on MTV. This wasn’t your granddad’s bass guitar. It was the sound of cool.How Technology Changed Guitar Playing ForeverWhile many feared that synths would replace real instruments, the opposite happened in a lot of cases. Guitarists didn’t back down from technology—they embraced it. With digital effects units and MIDI systems, players could suddenly control sounds in a way that had never been possible before. Want to make your guitar sound like a keyboard? Done. Want to add reverb that made it sound like you were playing in a cave on Mars? No problem.Some guitarists even used synths alongside their guitars, blending the two worlds into one new sound. Bands like Yes and Genesis, known for their earlier progressive rock, started mixing guitars and synths in wild, experimental ways. The future didn’t scare these players—it gave them more to play with.And of course, the look of the guitar changed too. In the 1980s, form was just as important as function. Guitars came in bright neon colors, strange shapes, and with custom graphics that looked like comic books or video games. You couldn’t just sound good. You had to look like you stepped off a spaceship and into a rock video.Pop, Rock, and the Lasting Clash of StylesBy the end of the decade, music was more mixed up than ever. There were pop bands with heavy guitar solos, rock bands using synth pads, and funky grooves showing up in metal songs. The lines had blurred. No one style won. And that’s what made the 1980s so unforgettable.Guitars didn’t vanish. They adapted. They evolved. They strutted into this strange new world full of drum machines and laser sounds and found a way to shine. Whether it was a screaming solo in a metal anthem or a dreamy riff floating through a new wave hit, the guitar proved it still had something to say.Final NoteThe 1980s didn’t kill the guitar—it gave it a fresh coat of paint and a jetpack. Even as technology changed everything around it, the guitar held its ground with style, power, and a little bit of flash. The synth may have taken center stage, but the guitar never left the building.