Good morning. Hope you enjoyed the spring tease. Today and tomorrow mark a return of winter. Then it’s spring again.

Nikki Haley packed a hotel ballroom last night in Bloomington. But the Republican presidential candidate needs to pack the polling places next week if she’s going to keep Donald Trump from sealing up the GOP nomination on Super Tuesday. Haley offered a pitch about heading off a 2020 rematch that is certain to get ugly and involve two unpopular nominees. "Look, we have a decision to make,” Haley said. “Do we go with more of the same or do we move in a new direction?”  MPR’s Mark Zdechlik was there. He spoke to Bob Frazee, an 82-year-old who doesn’t want a president in his age group. "We need someone fresh and new. We need to get rid of the old guys,” Frazee said.

Haley’s contention — as well as that of Dean Phillips — is that the likely matchup between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will turn off voters.  Polls do show that many voters are unhappy with that rematch prospect. MPR host Cathy Wurzer had an interesting discussion yesterday with a quartet of college students part of Gen Z. They’re all civic-minded, but they didn’t convey a lot of enthusiasm about the first presidential election they’re eligible to vote in. Cathy asked them to rate their excitement level on a scale of one to 10. St. Olaf sophomore Addie Raum responded: “Do negative numbers exist on the scale? Just curious,” she said, adding, “It’s just like another dumpster fire, right? I’m just so pumped that my first presidential election is Option A — sucks — and Option B, which sucks even more.” The others echoed her in less colorful terms. Listen to the first segment in Minnesota Now’s State of Democra-Z series today at noon on MPR News platforms.

Tonight is the first of several live events planned for MPR’s Talking Sense project. The aim is to foster more civil conversations for those who disagree politically. From our Catharine Richert, who is heading up the effort: "There's still time to register for MPR's first live Talking Sense event in Woodbury. It's tonight, and we're looking for people from across the political spectrum to participate in a discussion about polarization.” You can learn more and sign up here.

Tonight is also precinct caucus night. The chairs of the DFL and Republican parties came together yesterday to promote the evening gatherings, where party members debate resolutions and hear from candidates in area races. The Legal Marijuana Now Party is also holding caucuses. Find where your area caucus is by going to the finder link here.

Also tonight: the Michigan presidential primary, which is an early test on how Biden’s stance on the war between Israel and Hamas that is causing immense destruction in Gaza could affect his reelection chances. Progressive organizers in Michigan are urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the primary as a way of protesting the BIden administration’s handling of the war. Dearborn, Mich. is home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the country and these community members are at the heart of the uncommitted campaign. But it’s also resonating with young voters and people of color from a variety of religions and backgrounds. These supporters know their campaign won’t change Biden’s expected primary victory, but they hope it sends the president a clear message. NPR’s story is here. And we'll have the results for you here.

And closer to home, Muslim and Arab communities in Minnesota are leading a very similar campaign ahead of next Tuesday’s primary. They outlined their “Abandon Biden” message in Minneapolis on Monday. They want him to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. The group includes St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali. Its members say the point is not to disrupt the November election, but to make Biden pursue a change in course when it comes to Middle East policy. DFL Party Chair Ken Martin urged those involved to take into account the differences between Biden and Trump on issues important to the Muslim community.”

In southern Minnesota, there’s a Democrat who has stepped up to run against a Republican incumbent. Rachel Bohman, a real estate agent who formerly led elections departments in two Twin Cities counties, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to challenge GOP Rep. Brad Finstad. Bohman ran for secretary of state about a decade ago, but ended that campaign relatively early. Finstad won the seat in a special election and held on for a comfortable 2022 victory in that year’s general election. The candidate he defeated then was former Hormel executive Jeff Ettinger, who more recently has been interim president at the University of Minnesota.

That’s a perfect segue to our next item: The University of Minnesota has a new president. It’s Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, who comes here from the University of Michigan. The Board of Regents made the selection from three finalists. Cunningham is a doctor by training and has Minnesota ties, including her father-in-law’s past employment at the University of Minnesota. Cunningham will take her spot in July.

At the Capitol, a highly anticipated budget report will be delayed by a day. The Department of Minnesota Management and Budget has postponed release of the February economic forecast until Thursday. It had been set for Wednesday, but state officials are sensitive to the memorial service for three first responders being held that day. The law requires the budget report to come out in February, and thanks to this being a Leap Year, there is a day of cushion. This report sets the spending parameters for the Legislature.

Discussions around unionization for staff members at the Legislature will move into a new phase. The Legislative Coordinating Commission advertised yesterday for a consultant to do a deep analysis of issues around possibly unionization of some 700 employees who work for the Senate, House and joint entities. It stems from a 2023 law that required an examination of issues around possible collective bargaining. The consultant who gets chosen must conduct employee surveys, gather other information and then issue findings and recommendations by Nov. 1.