Beardage

Time and again, research has shown that first-born children are better at a lot of things than their younger siblings. First-borns do better on IQ tests and are more likely to become president of the United States than their kid brothers or sisters. And, at the other end of the spectrum, first-borns are less likely to do drugs and get pregnant as teenagers.

In the city of Overland Park, Kan., a grand jury may soon criminally investigate a sculpture.

With thousands of fast food employees taking part in strikes in seven major cities across the nation this week over low wages and the right to unionize, the restaurant lobby has issued a forceful response. As hundreds of fast food workers picketed the Union Square Wendy’s in New York City, the industry attacked demands for higher wages as an impossible request that would force companies to lay off workers.

Kansas City ranks among the "snobbiest" of metropolitan areas, according to a recent survey by Travel + Leisure. The survey determines which cities have "the biggest nose in the air," based on residents' intelligence, high-end shopping, high-brow cultural offerings such as theater and classical music, tech-waviness, artisanal coffeehouses and eco-consciousness. Kansas City tied with Philadelphia for the No. 14 spot. However, it also scored the No. 1 spot as the most affordable city for visitors.

When "Man of Steel" premieres next month, a Kansas City-area robotics engineer may experience a sense of déjà vu. The debut will mark the second time Derek Scherer's handiwork has shown up on the big screen. Derek Scherer, who used to build battlefield robots for the U.S. Army, also played a part in the animatronic creatures in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," which was released late last year. The owner of Golem Group LLC, which does business as Golem Workshop, can list upcoming Matt Damon…

A rising stock market helped boost paychecks for American CEOs as their average salaries continue to increase, according to an analysis by the Associated Press with data from executive pay research firm Equilar. In 2012, the average CEO made about $9.7 million — a 6.5 percent increase from the year prior. It's the third straight year CEOs have seen bigger paychecks after the Great Recession caused two years of plummeting pay. Compare that to the average U.S. workers' pay, which rose 1.1 percent…

Snow is possible Thursday through Friday -- the amount is uncertain at this point. For now, forecasters are predicting between 1 to 4 inches possible with the highest amounts south of Kansas City.

The first time I tasted a superaged spirit—a rare 50-year-old Glenfiddich single malt scotch—I was taken aback. Not by the whiskey itself, but by the rapturous swooning of the whiskey geeks all around me at a tasting hosted by the whiskey brand. “It’s chewy,” one commented, smacking his lips for emphasis. “It’s kaleidoscopic,” another assessed. “It tastes like cigar tobacco and leather … and then caramel and spice … and then I taste oak … and then … ” And finally: “It’s been almost 10 minutes and I’m still tasting it!”

On the evening of March 23, 1.3 billion people will go without light at 8:30—and at 9:30, and at 10:30, and for the rest of the night—just like every other night of the year. With no access to electricity, darkness after sunset is a constant reality for these people.