Today's MontanaBuzz

THE BUZZ

YOU CAN get a cup of joe in Circle, Montana. You just can't get an espresso-based drink, especially of the Starbucks, variety.

In fact, if you want a Starbucks coffee, and you live in Circle, you'll have to drive at least 192 miles -- leaving you with the longest drive in the country to a Starbucks coffee shop, according to another one of those silly "studies" that pop up online. This one, by a new site called Quartz, analyzed the "world domination" of Starbucks, and looked at where its 11,563 stores were located in the United States, as well as thousands more in 62 other countries.

In crunching those numbers, Quartz found that Circle is the farthest community from any Starbucks in the continental US. "People don't realize how much we're in the middle of nowhere," Lindsey Mitchell, a Circle bakery and restaurant owner, admitted to Quartz.

TALK about weird juxtapositions. The above photo shows one of the most famous newspaper front pages in recent history -- the cover of the Paris paper Charlie Hedbo and its infamous tearful Muhammad cartoon -- next to the front page of the Great Falls Tribune.

Huh? How'd that happen?

The newspaper covers were displayed this week at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., which keeps up a daily display of newspaper front pages. (If the photo above is too small for you to see, click on it or on this to see a larger version.)

LIKE MOST folks, Buzz is fond of food. So of course a listing of the most iconic restaurants in each state by a foodie web site called Thrillist caught our eye.

Thrillist has declared that Montana's most iconic eatery is the Union Grill in the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton, which offers up higher-end European and Indian twists on Montana classics. Thrillist said that, to qualify for this honor, restaurants had to be around for at least three decades and still be crowd favorites.

Thrillist also assembled a fascinating list of the oldest restaurants in each state. Montana's? The Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte, founded in about 1880. Thrillist doesn't rate the food there, which won't win any culinary awards but is a fascinating place that reflects the heritage of Butte's Chinatown.

If you are looking for a tastier meal, you might try out Steve's Cafe in Helena. It was just named the best diner in Montana by Business Insider. Based on a number of taste tests, Buzz can vouch for that choice.

HELENA's abuzz with legislative activities that take place every other year. And now Montana's capital could be a little busier at other times of the year after being recognized as one of the nation's most travel-worthy capitals.

Readers of USA Today and 10 Best have ranked Helena as the 10th best capital in the country to visit.

The top three were Carson City, Nevada; Juneau, Alaska, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Two of the panelists who took part in the judging said of Helena: "Born from a mid-1800s gold strike, Helena shows pride in its Western history. Vistors can explore the town on teh last Chance Tour Train and then stop at the Montana Historical Society's MacKay Gallery for a memorable stroll through its large collection of Charles Russel art. The surrounding area is perfect for leisurely road road trips and outdoor adventure in the Rocky Mountain foothills."

THESE DAYS, if you're curious about an issue, the answer is just a click away. Just go to Google, or any other search engine, and type in your question.

It's not only convenient, but the collective results provide insights into what's on the minds of Americans. As one might expect, those interests aren't particularly profound, according to Estately, an online real-estate firm that identified -- employing Google Trends -- the search terms that users from each state used the most.

So what topic did Montanans search for most often?

The National Rifle Association.

Really? That's it?

Kinda plays into stereotypes, doesn't it?

Here are some of the top search topics for nearby states: Idaho -- how to craft and soldier Bowe Bergdahl; Wyoming -- Malaysian Airlines Flight 370; North Dakota -- Jay Leno, US hockey team, and actress Kaley Cuoco.

Drone survey of Yellowstone oil spill site, from state Department of Environmental Quality. Crews that are attempting to clean up oil that spilled from the Bridger pipeline are finding that changing weather conditions are hampering their efforts.

Estimate of oil spilled from pipeline lowered to 30,000 gallons

Thieves return camping gear stolen from Billings' Boy Scouts

Supreme Court upholds coal company's tax policy on sales

Broadcaster Taylor Brown finds his voice in the state Senate

Weather conditions hamper oil spill cleanup on Yellowstone

Dueling alcohol bills set to face off in session this week

Proposed Butte gold mine aims to get go-ahead later this year

Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee talks in Kalispell March 19

Missoula County judge Ed McLean retiring in May

Breached Yellowstone pipeline found exposed on river bed

Bill seeks stiffer fines on landowners who illegally gate roads

Zinke reflects on 'American Sniper,' Chris Kyle, terrorism

Stakes big as battle over state's revenue estimates heats up

Nebraska wild turkeys being shipped to Great Falls area

Polson festival features over 80 films, draws 1,000 film fans

Analysis: GOP asking legitimate questions about welfare fraud

UM student killed by semitrailer on Interstate 90

Bill to give governor clemency power advances

Carroll officials come to aid of woman whose car is burning

Feds may put new VA clinic in downtown Missoula

Exxon fined $1 million for 2011 Yellowstone River oil spill

After oil spill, regulators want to see pipelines improved

Billings mom admits killing 3-month-old baby

Man admits robbing, beating elderly women, including nuns

MT guide fined $3,000 for violation on hunt with Wade Boggs

Rare agreement for bill that protects pregnant women

Governor: Critics misunderstand Flathead water compact

Backers of Bullock's preschool plan rally at Capitol

Nature Conservancy completes purchase of Plum Creek land

Yellowstone oil spill cleared, water declared clean for drinking

Glendive residents express frustrations over Yellowstone spill

500-bed housing project for UM students planned for Missoula

Missoula YouTube star interviews Obama at White House

Browning man ordered to pay $30K after killing 3 grizzlies

Pilot who crashed into Helena house says engine lost power

Jason Aldean adding 2nd Bozeman show due to demand

About 70 bison taken in Yellowstone hunt so far

Legislator wants to raise gas tax by 5 cents a gallon

Senate OKs change in way political practices czar is picked

Great Falls-bound flight forced to make emergency landing

Glendive residents told they can drink river water after spill

Bitterroot man gets 200 years for impregnating girl in his care

Malmstrom missile launch officer dismissed for drug use

Park sends bison for slaughter; meat to feed tribal members

BUSINESS

State's liquor license system capped out

New 80-room hotel, restaurant planned for Polson

Hopes for Troy mine dimmed as copper prices sank

Butte mine hurt by low copper price, but fuel savings helps

Chinese trade delegation meets with reps of Montana firms

Firm loves to make good use of lumber others want to toss

SPORTS / OUTDOORS

Thousands enjoy skijoring competition at Whitefish

Lady Griz win 2nd game on road trip, defeating Southern Utah

Grizzlies squeak past Southern Utah, 58-56

Lady Cats fall to Northern Arizona 79-64

Bobcats fritter away lead, losing to Northern Arizona 71-64

The man behind former Griz Larry Krystkowiak's poker face

Another former Griz, Wayne Tinkle, impresses with OSU

OPINION

Not right to test welfare clients for drug use

'Butte psyche' grew out of bond created among miners

Candidates should have to file finance reports electronically

Timing is good for 'Build Montana' infrastructure proposal

What those affected by Yellowstone River oil spill should do

Conservative editor finds liberals unhappy he has platform

Park City legislator full of nutty ideas

FEATURES

Mom tells of son's heroin use, hoping it will deter others

Mom-and-pop ski areas make big impact on MT winter sports

Billlings' pipe makers create handsome 'little sculptures'

Where Frank Lloyd Wright left his mark on Montana

Glendive's Frontier museum to add dinosaur collection

In 1918, in a war frenzy, Montana cracked down on dissent

CALENDAR

Country star Kip Moore returning to Missoula Jan. 27

Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson speaks at MSU March 4

Jason Aldean playing 2 shows at MSU April 22 & 23

Country star Clint Black to headline Headwaters Jam in June

Martina McBride coming to Helena stage on July 22

Motley Crue, Alice Cooper take stage in Billings July 26

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