DETROIT — Federal safety regulators have begun investigating Dodge and Chrysler minivans from the 2005 model year because the headlights can fail without warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says on its website that 622,817 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans could be affected.

The agency says more than 1,500 owners have complained to Chrysler or the government.

Documents filed on the agency’s website say that the headlights can go out while the vans are moving, but the bright lights are always available.

Seattle to order pay for sick daysSEATTLE — Seattle is poised to follow Connecticut and the cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., in mandating that businesses provide paid sick leave for workers.The city council voted 8-1 to approve a measure that requires companies with at least five workers to provide at least five paid sick days a year. The biggest companies would have to offer up to nine days.