The retirement of DFL Sen. Linda Higgins from her District 58 Minneapolis seat set off a game of musical chairs in one of the most staunchly DFL areas in Minnesota.

Under the terms of the deal, Canterbury Park will end its long pursuit of slot machines at the track -- better known as a "racino" -- in exchange for $75 million from the Shakopee tribe over 10 years to fatten its purses. The agreement also includes an extra $8.5 million from the tribe for joint marketing efforts.

Dick Day was hired to lobby for the Running Aces track about a month ago, spokesman John Derus said. Day left his job as the lead lobbyist for RacinoNow, a Canterbury Park venture, this summer.

Sen. Linda Higgins doesn’t want her political obituary written just yet. First off, while the five-term Minneapolis senator announced last Monday that she won’t seek re-election in 2012, she plans to serve out her term through the end of next year.

With a host of issues like light rail ridership and civic pride on the line, Hennepin County officials are keeping their powder dry in the event that they can find an opening to advance a Minnesota Vikings stadium plan.