In health

The WHO says hantavirus should not be treated like a COVID-level pandemic threat, even as officials in Chile and Argentina report a sustained rise in infections and more deaths in Chile this year. Separate from that, a new Trust for America’s Health report says fewer than half of U.S. states are adequately prepared for a public health emergency, with only 20 states scoring in the top tier. Public health readiness, as ever, remains an ongoing concept.

Also, snack mixes sold at Target and other stores are being recalled over salmonella concerns. Consumers are being told not to eat the affected products and to return them for a refund.

In U.S. politics

A Trump-appointed panel has recommended cutting FEMA’s budget in half over time, shifting more disaster leadership to the states, and trimming or eliminating some federal reviews and programs. Supporters call it streamlining. Critics will probably use less polished language.

In Tennessee, Republican lawmakers approved a new U.S. House map that breaks up a majority-Black district in Memphis and tilts the state’s lines further toward the GOP, despite Democratic protests. Meanwhile, a federal judge in North Carolina has conditionally agreed to cancel James Comey’s upcoming court appearance in the case alleging he threatened President Trump, after Comey asked to skip the hearing and the government did not object.

And Republican Rep. Tom Barrett has introduced a bill that would force the Trump administration to wind down the Iran war by the end of July and limit the scope of the U.S. military campaign. Congress, once again, has discovered the concept of boundaries after the main event has already started.