And Politico said US Sen. Orrin Hatch............>

US: And Politico said US Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), "the longest-serving

Republican senator, announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of the year. The

move opens the door to a likely run for the Utah seat by former GOP presidential

nominee Mitt Romney."

- "Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves. And for me, that time is

soon approaching," said the 83-year-old senator, who was first elected in 1976,

in a video announcement cited by Politico. "That's why after much prayer and

discussion with family and friends, I've decided to retire at the end of this

term."

- And Axios said Minn. Sen. Al Franken was expected to officially resign Tuesday

(today); Minn Dem.Lt. Gov. Tina Smith was to take over Franken's seat on

Wednesday, it said. Then there will be an election in Nov. 2018, where former

Minn. congresswoman and 2012 GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said

she is looking at potentially running for Franken's seat (2 mor years left on

that term,) it said.