Carrying through on earlier threats, President Donald Trump has encouraged congressional Republicans not to negotiate with Democrats on a budget for the new fiscal year, prompting a shutdown of the federal government that began Oct. 1. At the heart of the funding fight, Republicans are trying to take away healthcare from 15 million Americans by making the largest cuts in history to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, while Democrats are trying to protect and extend Americans’ healthcare benefits.

The crucial work of higher education workers is now under siege. Devastating funding cuts are halting medical breakthroughs and slashing support for students—all as political retribution from an administration that wants to control knowledge.

The Fall 2025 American Educator is a call to action for defending democracy and public education.

As we observe Labor Day, it’s not just about picnics and parades. It’s about standing up for what all working people deserve: dignity, a life they can afford and real opportunity. Whether you are a nurse, a bus driver or an educator, you make a difference in people’s lives every day. In this moment, our fight for freedom, fairness and security is more important than ever.

In a sweeping move to leverage artificial intelligence as a tool for learning and to minimize its harms, the AFT has partnered with the United Federation of Teachers, Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic to launch a first-of-its-kind national AI academy for educators.

Communities in the small Oregon towns of Lebanon and Lincoln City are breathing a sigh of relief after the news that Samaritan Health Services reversed course and will keep labor and delivery, and emergency surgical services open at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital.  The decision to preserve these critical healthcare services comes after a months-long campaign led by nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association.

Working isn’t just a way to pay the bills, it’s also a way we can pay goodness and loving-kindness forward. Providing protections for workers is not only an abstract theory, it’s a holy act and an opportunity to live our faith-based values. And sanctuaries aren’t limited to houses of worship; every workplace should be a safe place.

Nearly every person in Gaza needs urgent humanitarian assistance. Two million Palestinians have been displaced, and the entire population is facing dire food insecurity. According to UNICEF, 80 percent of those who have died from malnutrition during this war were children.

When history teacher John Klingler heard that someone from his school had been detained on immigration charges, he assumed it was someone else’s kid. So when he recognized the name, it was a “heart shattering” moment.

President Donald Trump has long belittled public libraries. This time around, in his second term, he’s ramping up his hostility toward them.