Barnes & Noble just celebrated its first major milestone as it continues to make a huge comeback from near bankruptcy.  The iconic bookstore chain suffered devastating losses in the 2010s, thanks to its main competitor, Amazon. By 2018, it had shuttered around 400 locations, and analysts believed it would soon go out of business. But a true Hail Mary came in 2019 when Elliott Management acquired the company for $683 million. Now Barnes & Noble is now thriving and plans to open 60 locations this year, which is an addition to the dozens opened in 2025. To mark the growth, the company celebrated the ribbon-cutting at its new flagship location in downtown Seattle on May 6th. Barnes & Noble is Opening 60 New Locations in 2026 The location is now inside the 17,500 sqft former North Face location, which shut down in 2024. The ribbon-cutting was extra special because the former Seattle Barnes & Noble location had closed its doors in 2020. “Barnes & Noble’s return to downtown Seattle is enormous,” said Downtown Seattle Association president and CEO Jon Scholes, per KCPQ. “When a national retailer returns to downtown it’s an indicator of confidence in our center city and the strength of our retail trade area.” “There is energy in downtown with a record residential population, visitor numbers that are the strongest we’ve seen in six years and more public space amenities coming online that increase our vibrancy. It’s a great time to open shop in downtown Seattle,” he added. According to USA TODAY, Barnes & Noble is opening stores in Ohio, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Washington state, California, Virginia, Georgia, and Washington D.C. This story’s featured image is by Catherine Robotis/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

It’s no secret that teaching is tough, and educators deserve all the dollars we can throw at them. But that doesn’t mean the job doesn’t have its perks. Working with kids means witnessing all the wild, weird, and wonderful ways their brains work, which can result in some moments worth memorializing. Case in point: this video from kindergarten teacher Mrs. Jamieson, in which a student told her she had some “secret good news” to share with her. If you’ve spent much time with children, you might hold your breath waiting to hear what comes next. A phrase like “secret good news” could go in literally any direction, but no one expected the way this one would go. @mrs.jamiesonskinders This moment melted my heart!! #teachersoftiktok #kindergarten ♬ original sound – Katelynd “Tell me your ‘secret good news,’ please,” Mrs. Jamieson said, undoubtedly bracing herself for whatever this little angel was about to say. “I’ve never told you I was an African-American,” the girl said, her smile obvious even though we can’t see her. Mrs. Jamieson, to her credit, made an incredulous face and said, “What?!” “I was an African-American this whole time!” the student said, giggling. Oh, what a darling. And wow, what a “secret” for a teacher to respond to. “Baby, I knew!” said Mrs. Jamieson. She asked the student if she had just found out she was African-American, and she said yes, her sister had told her. But the girl seemed utterly shocked that her teacher already knew. “Yeah,” Mrs. Jamieson said. “You’ve been African-American the whole time! Beautiful! So beautiful. I knew. And I knew you were beautiful.” Kudos to kindergarten teachers everywhere. Photo credit: Canva The student giggled, then came around the desk for two big hugs. As the girl embraced her teacher, we can see her hands, which had some commenters cracking up. It was definitely no suprise to her teacher that she is African-American. The delight in the video isn’t just this child’s innocence, though. It was the way Mrs. Jamieson filled this little girl up with so much love. “I love you,” she said. “You bring so much joy to me. You fill my bucket, do you know that?” A teacher’s words hold a lot of power, for better and for worse. What a prime example of using that power in the best way. Kindergartners say the darnedest things. Photo credit: Canva “I started recording when she first told me she had ‘secret’ good news because I didn’t know what was going to come out of her mouth, and I’m so glad I did!” Jamieson tells Upworthy. “This year has been a tough one, but in teaching, there’s always the ‘why’ moments. The moments that remind you why you do what you do, and the fact that I caught one on camera was amazing. When I watched it back, it brought me so much joy I couldn’t keep it to myself! The outpouring of love has been incredible.” So many commenters praised Mrs. Jamieson for the way she handled the totally unexpected revelation: “I was nowhere near prepared for that to be the secret. Your reaction was EVERYTHING though.” “Small children are the best Thank you for telling her you seen her the entire time and that she’s beautiful. ” Happy Teacher Appreciation! ⁠Great teachers don't just teach. They show you how to think, how to grow, and how to believe in yourself! https://t.co/DGWtHeZTUp pic.twitter.com/UxGTiHigFW— Natural Life (@Natural_Life) May 5, 2026 “Thank you for not pretending like you didn’t know and ‘don’t see color.’ Thank you for pouring into her by saying hey, I already knew that AND, I already knew you were BEAUTIFUL. As a darker skinned black woman who has been in these spaces, I would have killed to have a teacher pour into me this way at such a young age. I am also a former long time educator and have so much respect for how you loved on her, including the hug(s). Way to go!” “Can I say I love that she called it ‘good news.’ When I was her age I was teased for being black and teased for my hair that for a while I wanted to be anything other than black. I love how proud she is and you affirming her.” Little kids and excellent teachers really are the best of us, aren’t they? You can follow Mrs. Jamieson on TikTok. The post Student tells teacher her ‘secret good news’ and it’s delightfully unexpected appeared first on Upworthy.

One thing many people believe is that you can truly know a person based on their Google history. Private searching is understandably on the rise, and given how negativity drives a lot of online news and social media, it can be easy to think the same way regarding our searches. However, a Google expert shared that the majority of searches on the platform are actually hopeful. Google Data Editor and Journalist Simon Rogers reported that, while we do Google news information, the vast majority of Google queries were positive. In fact, Rogers says Google’s publicly available data set shows a counterbalance to the negativity often seen when scrolling on our feeds. The hard fact is that our Google searches show something different than the narrative on social media. “The data is unfailingly honest,” Rogers wrote on CNBC’s Make It. “The way we search collectively is simply not the way we present ourselves on social media. There’s no such thing as a ‘dumb query,’ and analyzing these massive trends gives us a highly accurate reflection of our shared curiosities.” Here are the surprisingly refreshing top queries he found on Google: ‘How to [insert life skill here]’ Rogers shares that the top searches start with “How to” and end with some form of life skill or task. “How to boil an egg”, “How to fix a door”, “How to cook spaghetti”, and so on. Google has turned to the go-to place for adults to learn many life skills. Some folks may be concerned that adults have to learn basic life tasks they could or should have learned as children. However, it’s mostly agreed that it is good such information is readily available through a simple online search. It’s also promising that the top Google searches are from people who want to independently learn their lives (and others) easier. If not a tutorial, they can also use Google as a resource to find classes or people who may properly teach them. ‘What’s a job that helps people?’ The other top trend Rogers indicated was occupation-oriented. While many top searches included queries like “high-paying jobs” and the like, Rogers noticed that those didn’t get the top spots. Searches for a “job that helps people” have surpassed searches for “jobs that pay well.” The search for meaning at work has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Meaningful careers included therapists, social workers, and other vocations dedicated to health, wellness, and community building. ‘How to help [insert person, place, or thing here]’ Many see our current time as one of anger, tension, and incredibly high division, but Rogers says that couldn’t be further from the truth. Near the top end of Google queries in the U.S. and U.K. is some variation of “How can I help?” This is backed up by a 2022 Stanford University report showing that more people are willing to help more than most realize. This echoes a study found that Americans are more likely to help a stranger now than they did in the 1950s or “the good ol’ days” as many frame it.  There are many reasons for a person to help, and not all of them are altruistic. However, the fact that so many do such a search that it towers over all others can feel inspiring. These trends show and can back up the claim that people are still instinctively good. If you still don’t think so, well…just Google it. The post Google editor reveals the 3 most privately searched terms. And honestly, it’s the best of humanity. appeared first on Upworthy.

Robin Williams was notorious for making his scene partners crack up and break character with his off-the-cuff antics. However, one costar remained eternally stone-faced: Sally Field.  In an interview with Stephen Colbert, Field recalls working with Williams on the set of Mrs. Doubtfire, where he would constantly try, and fail, to elicit even a polite giggle from her.  Much to his disappointment, “I would never laugh, ever,” quipped Field, even when “ everybody else was laughing and carrying on.” One might assume that a consummate professional like Field perhaps felt the constant jokes were inappropriate or overly distracting. But no. They just weren’t her cup of tea.  View this post on Instagram “It wasn’t funny. It just wasn’t funny,” she told Colbert while chuckling. “Robin was always trying something different to make me laugh. It was so unfunny. I can’t begin to tell you.” The one joke that actually made Sally Field break Field remained Williams’ white whale throughout the entire production, which “drove him mad.” And to really add insult to injury, Pierce Brosnan successfully made her lose it with a simple fart gag.  “We were sitting at a table at the restaurant, and [Brosnan] made a fart noise on his arm. And I was gone. That was it. I laughed so hard they had to redo my makeup.” Why their chemistry in Mrs. Doubtfire still feels so real Knowing their behind-the-scenes dynamic adds a whole new layer of authenticity to Mrs. Doubtfire, doesn’t it? In the movie, Field and Williams are a divorced couple. Miranda, portrayed by Field, constantly feels like she is having to bear all the responsibility of raising their three children while Daniel, played by Williams, seemingly never takes anything seriously.  That said, Williams and Field still seemed to have a genuine friendship.  In 2024, she told Vanity Fair that her father had passed away during filming.  The Mrs. Doubtfire movie poster IMDB “I was of course beside myself,” Field shared. “I came on the set trying with all my might to act. I wasn’t crying. Being extremely “sensitive and intuitive,” Williams picked up that something was wrong, and even made arrangements for Field to leave filming to make arrangements.  “Robin came over, pulled me out of the set, and asked, ‘Are you OK?’” she told Vanity Fair. When Field answered, Williams replied, “Oh my God, we need to get you out of here right now. And he made it happen—they shot around me the rest of the day.” So, while Williams might have never made Field chuckle, it feels safe to say that he nevertheless won her respect and admiration.  Field stars in the upcoming film adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures. While she hailed her costar Lewis Pullman as “one of the best leading men” she’s ever worked with, she didn’t say anything about him making her laugh either. Regardless, her warmth, humor, and emotional depth are just as magnetic today as they were during her unforgettable run alongside Williams. Watch the full interview below:  The post Sally Field recalls Robin Williams trying (and failing) to make her laugh on ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ appeared first on Upworthy.

Have you ever watched a person who has only ever had dogs try to interact with a cat? When dog-only people encounter cats, the result can be a mix of entertaining, bewildering, and, occasionally, a bit dangerous. Obviously, cats are not dogs, and treating a cat as if it was a dog may or may not go well for you. So, if you’re one of those dog lovers who find themselves at a loss for what to do with a cat when you’re around one, here are some things to know that may save you some scratches or humiliation. Ditch the high energy, embrace a sense of aloofness Dogs are often eager. Cats are usually aloof. With many dogs, the more excited you act, the more they’re like, “Hey, you my friend! We best buds! Let’s play and hang out!” Cats don’t react to energy the way dogs do. Photo credit: Canva Cats do not play like that. Approaching a cat with high energy puts them on edge. They might see you as a threat and become aggressive. Or they will simply “peace out” and leave the room. The best thing you can do if you want to make them comfortable is ignore them. Let them come to you If you absolutely must approach a cat (because they’re just irresistibly cute), do so very slowly. But it’s really best to just sit on the floor and wait for them to come to you. Don’t try to force it. They might ignore you completely at first, or they might immediately come right up and start rubbing on you. There’s no way to know, so just wait. Rubbing on you might mean ‘go ahead and pet me.’ But it might not. If a cat rubs up against you, that’s a good sign. If you’re new to them, it means they’re already comfortable with you. But it’s not necessarily an open invitation to pet them, either. Cats are fickle. Before you get too excited and go in for some pets… Cat rubs are usually a good sign. Photo credit: Canva Offer them your fingers Cats are big on smell. Before your hand touches their fur, they want to know what they’re dealing with. Try holding out a finger or two for them to sniff, preferably coming from below their head instead of above. After they’ve smelled you, they might stick around for pets, or they might not. If they do… Don’t pet them like a dog No to head pats. Yes to chin and cheek scratches. No to belly rubs unless their human gives you the green light. (Most cats will destroy your hand if you try to rub their belly, but some love it.) No to hard strokes down their back, at least at first. Cats all have different touch preferences, so gently trying around their chin, cheeks, shoulders, and back is the best way to start. Happy Cats Haven shared these signs to watch for that indicate a cat might not like the way you’re petting it: Restlessness Skin rippling Ears flattening or flicking Tail thumping or thrashing Turning head toward the petting Your hands are not toys Playing with cats can be a blast. They are predators with excellent hunting skills, so play involves stalking, chasing, and attacking. But to save yourself some painful scratches, use a laser pointer or a cat toy on a string, not your hand. (They’re not likely to actually play with your hand anyway. And if they do, you might regret it.) @ellie_thetabby Her new toy obsession #cats#pets#trending ♬ original sound – bojackeats Don’t put your face near a cat that doesn’t know you Even if the cat is lying perfectly contentedly next to you. Even if you’ve had some positive interactions. Not even if the owner says, “Oh, he doesn’t scratch.” The only time our generally docile cat has scratched or bit someone was when a child put their face up to his when he was curled up on a chair. This is one place where the advice for dogs goes equally for cats. Faces and unfamiliar animals don’t mix. Don’t try to pick it up Some cats are fine being picked up. Many cats are not. Most cats will not take kindly to some stranger trying to manhandle them, which is (probably) how they view you trying to pick them up. Bodily autonomy is important for our feline friends. Don’t violate it. Sit on a chair or sofa and see if they’ll climb onto your lap, but don’t pick them up to make it happen. Very few cats will respond well to that. Cats blink slowly to tell you they like you. Photo credit: Canva Don’t stare. Blink slowly. Staring a cat in the eyes can be a sign of aggression, which can stress them out. However, if you do make eye contact, try a very slow, sleepy-eyed blink or two and then look away. Slow blinks are a sign of affection. But honestly, not looking at them at all might make them more likely to approach you. Again, cats like aloofness. If a cat deigns to let you pet it, scratch it, play with it, or otherwise interact with it, you may feel like you have been specially chosen. Embrace the feeling, because that’s exactly what has happened. The post 8 things dog people need to know about cats before interacting with them appeared first on Upworthy.