Fauci says we're out of the 'pandemic phase' and Barnes and Lasry are in a tight Senate race

Anthony Fauci said Tuesday the United States was "out of the pandemic phase."

• The United States is "out of the pandemic phase" after more than two years of COVID-19 causing tens of millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser for President Joe Biden.

• The seven-day average of new cases per day is around 47,000, down from a peak of more than 800,000 in January, CDC data shows.

• Although metrics in the United States have improved since the winter, Fauci said, he does not believe the country would eradicate COVID-19. And, "if you will look at the global situation, there is no doubt this pandemic is still ongoing," he said.

Marquette Poll shows Mandela Barnes, Alex Lasry in tight Democratic U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin

• Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes was the choice of 19% while Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry was at 16%, with state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski at 7% and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson at 5%. "And 48% still don't know who they'll vote for. That's unchanged," said poll director Charles Franklin.

• Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Johnson's favorable number ticked up from 33% in February to 36% in the current poll. He was viewed unfavorably by 46% in this new poll.

• In the Republican primary for governor, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch was the choice of 32%, Waukesha County business consultant Kevin Nicholson was at 10% and state Rep. Tim Ramthun at 4%. Nearly half the voters don't have a pick yet. The poll was conducted before the recent entry of businessman Tim Michels into the contest.

• For his part, Gov. Tony Evers's job approval was at 49% with 41% disapproval, a slight decline from the February poll.

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The Money

DEER DISTRICT: Office space is planned for vacant space in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum parking structure. That site had been envisioned for retail.

JOHNSON CONTROLS: The Johnson Controls Foundation is reviewing plans to renew its commitment to help fund a Glendale park — at around the same time a developer is pursuing city financing help for a new office building for the company.

The Fun Stuff

DOWNTOWN PIZZA: Flourchild, the long-awaited downtown pizzeria by the chef-owner of Third Coast Provisions and Merriment Social, opens its dining room Friday.

DAIQUIRIS: S'Lush Daiquiri Lounge to bring Southern food, New Orleans-inspired cocktails and more to the former Ale Asylum space near Fiserv Forum

The Games

BUCKS: The Bucks breeze through a first round win over the Bulls. Things get tougher in a hurry as third-seeded Milwaukee faces second-seeded Boston in round two. The first two games will be played in Boston.

BREWERS: The first-place Brewers stay hot as they beat the Pirates 3-1 at the beautiful and largely empty PNC Park. Aaron Ashby combined with four relievers to limit Pittsburgh to just one hit.

PACKERS: Heads up: The NFL draft starts tonight and the Packers have two first-round picks.

Around Wisconsin

LILY PETERS: A 14-year-old boy followed 10-year-old Iliana Peters out of her aunt's home Sunday night in Chippewa Falls, then strangled and sexually assaulted her on a walking trail where her body was found the next morning, prosecutors alleged Wednesday.

NORDIC SKI CENTER: This winter, Brillion is preparing to turn into a hotspot for Midwestern athletes with the December opening of the Ariens Nordic Ski Center. "This venue is going to change the lives of countless young kids, families, athletes, and you are going to, with this venue, inspire a lot of big dreams and Paralympic dreams going forward," Max Cobb, president and CEO of the U.S. Biathlon Association, said. "It is going to be a jewel for this region."

Today in Wisconsin History

A story and front-page photo in the April 28, 1945, Milwaukee Journal alerts the world to a mallard duck nesting on top of a piling in the Milwaukee River near the southwest corner of the Wisconsin Ave. bridge — "the busiest bridge in Wisconsin." The duck, nicknamed Gertie by Journal reporter Gordon MacQuarrie, becomes a national sensation, the subject of two popular children's books and, decades later, immortalized in a series of sculptures on Milwaukee's RiverWalk. - Chris Foran

Today's Weather

Why not add a little rain to the mix today. High of 44, cloudy and the chance of rain increases as the day turns to night.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fauci says we're out of the 'pandemic phase'