[naviga:h3]High demand forces halt of rail pass sales[/naviga:h3]

PHILADELPHIA — Overwhelming demand has forced Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authorityto halt the sale of special rail passes for Pope Francis’ September visit to Philadelphia.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch says the number of customers was significantly higher when tickets went on sale online at 9 a.m. Monday.

Busch says technicians are working on the problem.

[naviga:h3]LA County may boost minimum wage[/naviga:h3]

LOS ANGELES — The nation’s most populous county could lift the minimum wage for some workers to $15 an hour by 2020, just weeks after the city of Los Angeles took a similar step to fatten paychecks for employees.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to take a preliminary step Tuesday that could lead to the higher wages. A proposal would direct county lawyers to draft a proposed law gradually increasing the wage mark over several years, which the board would consider later this year.