Milwaukee Further Lifts Virus Restrictions On Friday

METRO MILWAUKEE, WI — The city of Milwaukee on Friday will take another cautious step toward reopening amid the pandemic as officials further ease restrictions on museums, sporting events, bars and restaurants.

The new Phase 6 restrictions allow restaurants and bars to increase capacity and ease limits on the movement of patrons. They also raise museum capacity limits and allow sporting events and recreational activities to have as many as six fans per event participant, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report, citing a statement from the city health department.

The loosening of restrictions comes as Milwaukee sees improvement in the five key indicators used to gauge success at fighting the virus — cases, testing, care, safety and tracing.

In the statement, Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said that despite the easing of restrictions, the coronavirus is still a "dangerous threat in our city."

Read more by Alison Dirr, reporting for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin Bill Calls For Cocktails To Go

Still wary about frequenting Wisconsin bars and restaurants in person? A bill moving through the Wisconsin Legislature could make it legal to grab your cocktail to go. The bipartisan measure, approved by the state assembly Wednesday, would make it legal for any Class B alcohol license holder to sell mixed drinks and wine to go with a “tamper-evident” seal. The legislation is intended to boost sales at businesses struggling due to the pandemic. Read more by The Associated Press

Metro Milwaukee Headlines

• Roundy’s Shooting Victims Identified: The two workers killed in the shooting Tuesday night at the Roundy's Distribution Center have been identified, authorities announced Thursday. Via Waukesha Patch.
• Suspect Sought In Deadly Hit-And-Run: Milwaukee police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a 27-year-old man dead. Via WISN.
• Improved Unemployment Services Move Forward: The state this week moved a step closer to implementing an improved unemployment call center available to Wisconsin residents 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Via Fox 6.
• Yo VIP, Let's Kick It: A Wisconsin festival celebrating smoked meat is promoting its event with a '90s throwback from singer Vanilla Ice.

SPORTS TALK: The Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday announced that Brandon Woodruff will be starting pitcher for the second year in a row. He will face Kenta Maeda when the Brewers host the Minnesota Twins on April 1. Via Fox Sports

FRIDAY’S WEATHER IN A WORD: Sunshine

EVENTS: Cheers to the weekend, Wisconsinites. This year’s Lager & Friends beer festival will take place virtually from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Festival boxes — which are selling quickly, according to Milwaukee magazine — include a dozen Wisconsin craft lagers, glassware and other goodies. Pickup runs until Saturday.

• Also this weekend, Jeanie Doogan is live at The Laughing Tap for a night of comedy. Attend live or virtually. Tickets are on sale now, and the event will be held both Friday and Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m.
• Have an event to share? Post it on Patch’s event calendar.

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