At first, Everly Green’s parents didn’t understand why her doctors wanted genetic testing. Their daughter was behind on her milestones at 18 months, but was gradually making progress, and they expected that to continue.

Then, when she turned 2, the seizures started. She suddenly began to lose skills. Three months later, Everly needed a feeding tube. Now, at 8, she can only move her eyes, allowing her to communicate via a screen.

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Everly, whose family lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, has a rare mutation in a gene called FRRS1L, pronounced “frizzle,” which affects how cells in her brain communicate. Her parents, and other members of the tiny community of children with the condition, have worked with researchers and small-scale manufacturers to develop a treatment that could restore some of her ability to move — but only if they can raise $4 million to develop and test it.

Everly clearly understands what happens around her and loves school, where she learns in a mainstream classroom with support and has several best friends, said Chrissy Green, Everly’s mother. Still, she wants to do things she can’t, such as holding toys on her own or going on the occasional family trip with her brothers, Green said.

“These kids are in there, they want to play like other kids, they just can’t move,” she said.

Green is co-president of the foundation Finding Hope for FRRS1L, which is collecting funds for the next stage of drug development. Children with FRRS1L gene disorder, the foundation’s website says, “are trapped in a body they can’t move, however still retain high cognitive function, understanding, communication and awareness.”

Worldwide, only a few dozen children currently have a diagnosis of the same mutation in FRRS1L, meaning there’s little interest from drug companies. Families are on their own to fund research and, if all goes well, convince the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the treatment is safe and effective enough to go on the market.

And, even if they succeed with the FDA, they’ll still face a battle with insurance companies that may not want to pay the steep price for a drug to correct a faulty gene. (Even though the families aren’t looking to make a profit, these types of treatments are expensive, and the company under contract to do the manufacturing isn’t doing it for free.)

Chrissy Green sits with her daughter Everly, 8, as her two boys Colton, 9, left, and Ryle, 4, play at their home in Fort Collins on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Gene therapy involves replacing a faulty gene with a healthy one, usually via a harmless virus engineered to insert a specific snippet of genetic code. It has offered a new way to treat infants born without functioning immune systems, who previously relied on bone marrow transplants. Trials have also shown good results with a liver problem causing ammonia to build up in the body, and one form of inherited deafness.

The technology also carries risks. Patients have died after receiving gene therapies, with liver problems emerging as a potential risk.

Normally, drug companies take on the financial risk of turning basic research that’s often publicly funded into treatments, with the hope of eventually making a profit. For gene therapies, that model can break down because of the small number of patients. Green’s FRRS1L foundation knows of about three dozen patients worldwide, though other children with unexplained seizures could have the mutation.

A drug that treats so few patients will never be profitable, so parents are largely on their own in trying to fund research and development, said Neil Hackett, a researcher who has worked with families on gene therapies and advised the FRRS1L foundation. Usually, they can’t do it unless they happen to have one or more business-savvy parents with the time and resources to run a foundation while caring for a child with complex needs, he said.

“They need specific expertise, which is not easy to find, and they need massive amounts of money,” he said.

Steve Green supports his daughter Everly’s head as the family plays with toys together at their home in Fort Collins on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

When they first received Everly’s diagnosis, her doctor told the family to make the most of the time they had left, because medicine couldn’t offer anything to extend her life or reduce her symptoms, Green said. She didn’t initially question that, but focused on loving her daughter and trading tips for daily life with other families via Facebook.

Green connected with a mother in London who had a child the same age as Everly. Viviana Rodriguez was exploring whether researchers had found any evidence to suggest they could repurpose existing drugs to reduce FRRS1L symptoms.

Everly Green, 8, lies next to her mother, Chrissy Green, as she reads to her at their home in Fort Collins on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Through a “providential” series of events, one of Rodriguez’s contacts knew a doctor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center who worked on gene therapies. That doctor had read a paper from a German researcher who bred mice with the FRSS1L mutation so he could study it. The German scientist had given the mice a gene therapy as part of his experiments, but his work wasn’t focused on the clinical applications, Green said.

Green and Rodriguez, along with a small group of other parents, formed the foundation to raise $400,000 for the UT Southwestern researchers to breed their own group of FRSS1L mice and give them a gene therapy in a study that was set up to show results. The mice that received the gene therapy had near-normal movement after it took effect, she said.

“We saw major recovery in the animals, so we’re really hopeful for our kids,” she said.

The next step was testing for toxic side effects, then finding a manufacturer who could do the complicated work of inserting the corrected gene into a harmless virus, Green said. If they can raise the necessary money and all goes as expected, children could receive their doses through a clinical trial starting in September, she said.

Colton Green, 9, pushes his sister Everly, 8, into the family’s living room at their home in Fort Collins on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Many treatments that look promising in mice don’t pan out in humans. Even if they do, foundations must navigate the complex process of getting permission from the FDA to sell the treatment, Hackett said. Then they face the separate battle of convincing insurance companies, or national health systems serving patients in other countries, that they should pay for it, he said.

Theoretically, a foundation could keep a treatment in reserve for patients diagnosed with the FRSS1L mutation in the future, but that likely isn’t feasible, Hackett said.

“At the end, I think you have to turn it over to a commercial entity, and I don’t think anyone knows what that looks like,” he said.

Green is hopeful, however, that the treatment she’s trying to fund will not only help children like Everly, but also ease the path for future gene therapies.

“All the diseases can kind of help each other move forward,” she said.

Chrissy Green lifts her daughter Everly, 8, out of bed at their home in Fort Collins on Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

“New York City’s experience demonstrates that large-scale carbon reduction is not only essential but entirely within reach.”

Solar panels at I.S. 007 Elias Bernstein, one of over 100 city schools with new solar arrays. (Photo via DCAS)

As the federal government retreats from taking meaningful action on the global climate crisis, cities and states must rise to the occasion and uphold our moral obligation to create a more sustainable world for future generations. I am proud to share that New York City government is leading by example in this critical mission. 

As New York City’s chief decarbonization officer, and a deputy commissioner at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), it is my duty to lead the city government’s carbon reduction efforts. Our mandates are ambitious: Local Law 97 of 2019 requires us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent by 2030.  

Thanks to a transformative mobilization led by DCAS and partner agencies, the city is currently on track to reach the 50 percent reduction target ahead of our 2030 deadline. 

As cited in our Executive Order 89 report issued today, and in the New York City Greenhouse Gas Inventory, as of 2024, the city has reduced emissions 31 percent from the 2006 baseline. We’ve also reduced energy consumption in buildings by 16 percent over this same period. 

So, how did we get here in the face of numerous headwinds?  

The basis of this progress has depended—and still depends—on a holistic effort: we identified every source of emissions throughout the government and devised interventions aimed at maximizing the impact of taxpayer dollars to achieve our aggressive reduction targets. 

To start, we zeroed in on buildings, which are responsible for 70 percent of citywide greenhouse  gas emissions and are central to this work. We are replacing fossil fuel systems with electric ones, retrofitting equipment, upgrading lighting, improving operations, and  installing solar panels on city facilities, including our public schools. These improvements mean healthier indoor air, improved public spaces, and opportunities for students to learn about clean energy firsthand. 

The results speak for themselves. Since 2014, we have implemented over 17,500 energy  conservation measures across 2,500 city-owned buildings, culminating in 460,000 metric  tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced, the equivalent of removing over 100,000 cars off the road. These measures have also saved the city $150 million dollars in annual energy costs, proving that the public sector can make the economics of sustainability work at  scale. 

These efforts have also strengthened our public infrastructure and uplifted local communities—notably, 51 percent of projects have been in disadvantaged communities, ensuring the benefits of decarbonization flow equitably across the city.

Beyond buildings, the City of New York is investing in a cleaner electricity grid, which will serve all New Yorkers. Four years ago, DCAS entered into a contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to advance the Champlain Hudson Power Express, an energy infrastructure project that will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean energy directly from Quebec to New York City and will cover 100 percent of the city government operations. 

This project will be transformational for our energy grid, estimated to supply 20 percent of the  power needed for the city, and is essential for meeting the clean energy supply needs of both city government and the private sector. We expect to begin enjoying the benefits of  this project in the spring. 

New cogeneration Plant Fluid Cooler at the Bronx Zoo, completed as an  efficiency upgrade project between DCAS, NYPA, and WCS. (Photo via DCAS)

As we look toward the city’s longer-term commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, there is  no doubt that challenges remain. Issues with the supply chain continue to affect equipment lead times, and the closure of the Indian Point Energy Facility in 2021 increased reliance on fossil fuels for the city’s electricity supply. The city has made great strides in reforming its procurement, but the process continues to take longer than we would like; and all this work continues to take  place in a tight budgetary environment.  

More recently, existing challenges have been compounded by the federal government’s passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” act, which repeals a critical tax credit for solar systems, in addition to new tariffs, which drive up costs across the board. 

Yet despite these obstacles, New York City is pressing forward. DCAS is working to accelerate all of our efforts to speed up project delivery, invest in our green workforce across city agencies, electrify our buildings and fleet, and invest in solar and storage to strengthen the grid. 

When we began this journey over six years ago, our success was not guaranteed, and many  aspects of the mission were clouded by uncertainty. However, the progress we’ve made and the momentum we continue to build are the result of strong commitments from  leadership, a unifying citywide approach that prioritizes collaboration and accountability, and a spirit of innovation and continuous improvement.  

New York City’s experience demonstrates that large-scale carbon reduction is not only essential but entirely within reach. The path forward is clear; cities can win the climate fight. They just need the collective will to pursue it. 

Sana Barakat is New York City’s chief decarbonization officer and the deputy commissioner for energy management at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

The post Opinion: Cities Can Win the Climate Fight. NYC is Setting the Stage.  appeared first on City Limits.

By ADRIANA MORGA, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The start of a new year usually brings new motivation to achieve goals like eating healthier or finally cleaning your basement. Many resolutions also focus on financial goals, such as paying off credit card debt, saving for a new house, or simply getting more educated about money.

“New Year’s is a really good time to review and realign your financial goals overall,” said Erica Grundza, certified financial planner at Betterment, an investing and savings app.

When building your goals for 2026, Grundza recommends focusing less on the past and more on an optimistic, yet realistic, vision for the future. She recommends that you focus on reestablishing the “why” behind your approach to money and how you want to make it work for your life. This can be as simple as saving $10 each week in a savings account, or a bigger goal like saving to buy a house in the coming years. It’s all about your own journey.

The Associated Press spoke with people who are making financial resolutions for 2026. Here’s a look at what they’re planning and how you can draw inspiration for your own resolutions:

Making achievable plans

Resolutions can easily turn into unattainable goals that feel more like a dream, said MarieYolaine Toms, a coach and founder of Focused Fire, a financial coaching company. To avoid setting unrealistic expectations, Toms follows a “no resolutions” mindset and instead focuses on making an actionable plan.

“What I say every year is that I am not making resolutions, I’m making plans that can be tracked forward, traced back, and tweaked until completion,” Toms said.

Recently, Toms encouraged her clients to check their credit report with the three credit bureaus and, based on their credit reports, make an attainable plan to start a savings account. For example, adding $25 to their savings account every week.

Whether you’re trying to pay off debt or save for a vacation abroad, the first step toward making a plan can be creating a budget. When making a budget, it’s best to find a technique that works for you, whether it’s the classic 50/30/20 plan or another budgeting style.

If you’re building a budget for the first time, you can find some expert recommendations here.

Paying off debt

After losing her job as a magazine editor in September, Rachel Pelovitz, 33, had to take a closer look at her finances. Having acquired a significant amount of debt over the last few years due to her husband’s year-and-a-half-long unemployment, Pelovitz explored several options to pay it off. Ultimately, Pelovitz and her husband chose to sell their house and work with a debt consolidation organization.

“Rather than rely on getting more debt, we are currently selling our house,” Pelovitz said.

Pelovitz’s main goal for 2026 is to pay off half of her credit card debt. And, with some of the money from selling the house, start investing moderately.

If you’ve also experienced a layoff, you can read expert recommendations to help you take care of your finances and your mental health here.

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Building a savings account

For Jenni Lee, 27, this is going to be the year when she gets strict about building her savings account. While Lee considers herself generally good with money, over the last six months she has overspent and wants to rein it in. The long-term goal for her savings journey is for Lee to buy a house.

“I’m now in my late 20s, I’m starting to really think about where I pinch now so it won’t hurt later when I finally decide to purchase and own a place,” said Lee, a tech worker and lifestyle TikTok creator based in Chicago.

As she saves for her future home and possibly a trip to South Korea, Lee wants to cut unnecessary spending on clothing items and eating out.

Social media microtrends are a common influence on people’s shopping decisions, and this can lead to overspending. If you’re looking to avoid spending money on microtrends, you can find experts’ recommendations here.

Building an emergency fund

If you are in a position to do so, having multiple financial goals you’re working towards at the same time can be a great way to speed up your progress. For Worcester resident Melanie Duarte, 23, her New Year’s money goals include paying off her student loans and credit card debt while building an emergency fund.

“I made sure to include it in my budget, even if it’s something as small as like $50. I just want to make sure I still put something in (my emergency fund) so that it eventually multiplies,” said Duarte, who owns a marketing agency.

Duarte’s family didn’t speak openly about finances when she was growing up. But, since she opened her own business, Duarte has been slowly working on rewriting her relationship with money.

If you’re looking to start an emergency fund or create better habits while you save, you can read some experts’ recommendations here.

Finding balance

Finding a balance between saving for your long-term goals while also making sure you enjoy your money is important, but it can also be challenging. After the death of her grandfather just a few years after retirement, Tiana Stewart, 26, felt that he didn’t get to enjoy the fruits of his labor. So, this past year, Stewart decided to enjoy her life and travel.

“I do understand saving for retirement is important, but I also want to enjoy my life and the money that I work for at this time, especially being in my 20s,” said Stewart, who lives in Maryland.

But now, as she reflects on her financial future, Stewart wants to focus on paying off debt, saving, and investing. Having a healthy balance between enjoying life and saving for the future is what she wants to work toward.

For some, participating in budgeting challenges such as the no-buy year can be a great way to set boundaries on your spending and set aside money towards your financial goals. Many people start such challenges at the beginning of the year and commit to keep going until the end, but others start with a no-buy month.

The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is not the first president to want more room at the White House for entertaining, says the longest-serving top aide in the executive residence, offering some backup for the reason Trump has cited for his ballroom construction project.

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Gary Walters spent more than two decades as White House chief usher to presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush — a role that is akin to being the general manager of the residence.

“All the presidents that I had an opportunity to serve always talked about some possibility of an enlarged area” for entertaining, Walters said in an interview with The Associated Press about his recently published memoir.

Trump has been talking about building a White House ballroom for years, even before he entered the political arena. In July, the White House announced a 90,000-square-foot space would be built on the east side of the complex to accommodate 650 seated guests at a then-estimated cost of $200 million. Trump has said it will be paid for with private donations, including from him.

The Republican president later upped the proposed ballroom’s capacity to 999 people and, by October, had demolished the two-story East Wing of the White House to build it there. In December, he updated the price tag to $400 million — double the original estimate.

Images of the East Wing being demolished shocked historians, preservationists and others, but Walters said there is a long history of projects on the campus, ranging from conservatories, greenhouses and stables being torn down to build the West Wing in 1902, to the expansion of the residence with a third floor, to the addition of the East Wing itself during World War II to provide workspace for the first lady, her staff and other White House offices.

“So there’s always been construction going on around the White House,” Walters said.

Other presidents bemoaned the lack of space for entertaining

When Walters was on the job, the capacity of the largest public rooms in the White House was among the first topics he discussed with the incoming president, first lady and their social secretary, he said. The presidents he served all talked about the limited number of people the White House could handle.

When set up for a state dinner, the State Dining Room can hold about 130 people: 13 round tables each with seating for 10, Walters said. The East Room can accommodate about 300 chairs — fewer if space is needed for television cameras.

Trump complains often that both rooms are too small. He also has complained about the use of large tents on the south grounds, the main workaround for big events such as ritzy state dinners for foreign leaders. Walters said the tents had issues.

“When it rained, the water flows downhill and the grass became soggy, no matter what we tried to do,” Walters said. “We dug culverts around the outside of the tent to try and get the water.” Tents damaged the grass, requiring more work to reseed it, he said.

Walters admitted it was a bit jarring to see the East Wing torn down, and said he had fond personal memories of the space. “I met my wife at the White House and she worked in the East Wing, so that was a joy for me,” said Walters, 79.

His wife, Barbara, was a receptionist in the visitors office during the administrations of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. The couple recently celebrated 48 years of marriage.

Broken bones alter usher’s career trajectory

Walters owes his place in history as the longest-serving White House chief usher to the misfortune of a broken ankle.

He was 23 in early 1970, honorably discharged from the Army and looking for a job that would allow him to finish college at night. The Executive Protective Service, a precursor to the U.S. Secret Service, was hiring and accepted him.

But shortly before the graduation ceremony, Walters broke an ankle playing football. He could not patrol out of uniform, wearing a cast and hobbling around on crutches, so he was given a temporary assignment in the White House Police Control and Appointments Center. He stayed for five years.

“This injury also changed the course of my career,” Walters wrote in his memoir, “White House Memories: 1970-2007: Recollections of the Longest-Serving Chief Usher.” He gained an ”in-depth knowledge of the ways and security systems of the White House that would ultimately greatly benefit me in my future role in the Usher’s Office.”

A few months after being promoted to sergeant in 1975, he learned of an opening in the Usher’s Office. He applied and joined as an assistant in early 1976.

A decade later, he was elevated to chief usher by Reagan, who gave Walters the top job in the residence overseeing maintenance, construction and renovation projects, and food service, along with administrative, financial and personnel functions. He managed a staff of about 90 butlers, housekeepers, cooks, florists, electricians, engineers, plumbers and others.

Walters retired in 2007 after 37 years at the White House, including a record 21 years as chief usher. He served under seven presidents, from Nixon to George W. Bush.

In that time, Walters saw a broad swath of presidential history: the only president who ever resigned, an appointed vice president become the only unelected president, a president be impeached and stay in office, a father and son become president and the Supreme Court decide the most closely contested presidential election in U.S. history.

He’s often asked what he liked most about his work and “without hesitation I say it is getting to know and interact directly with the president, first lady, and other members of their family. It was an honor to get to know them with my own eyes and ears,” Walters wrote.