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UK faces choice next week between health and other spending, IFS think tank warns – whbl.com
By David Milliken
LONDON (Reuters) -British finance minister Rachel Reeves’ key decision in next week’s multi-year spending review will be how much to spend on healthcare versus other public services, the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank said on Sunday.
Reeves is due to set out day-to-day spending limits for other government departments on June 11 which will run through to the end of March 2029 – almost until the end of the Labour government’s expected term in office.
Britain has held periodic government spending reviews since 1998, but this is the first since 2015 to cover multiple years, other than one in 2021 focused on the COVID pandemic.
The non-partisan IFS said this spending review could prove to be “one of the most significant domestic policy events” for the current Labour government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement in February that defence spending would reach 2.5% of national income by 2027 had already used the room for further growth in public investment created in Reeves’ October budget, it said.
“Simultaneously prioritising additional investments in public services, net zero and growth-friendly areas … will be impossible,” said Bee Boileau, a research economist at the IFS.
Non-investment public spending is intended to rise by 1.2% a year on top of inflation between 2026-27 and 2028-29, according to budget plans which Reeves set out in October – half the pace of spending growth in the current and previous financial year.
The IFS sees no scope for this to be topped up, as Reeves’ budget rules leave almost no room for extra borrowing and tax rises are now limited to her annual budget statement.
This forces Reeves and Starmer to choose between the demands of the public healthcare system – plagued by long waiting times and a slump in productivity since the COVID-19 pandemic – and other stretched areas.
In past spending reviews, annual health care spending has typically risen 2 percentage points faster than total spending.
If that happened this time – equivalent to an annual increase of 3.4% – spending in other departments would have to fall by 1% a year in real terms, the IFS forecast.
Raising healthcare spending at roughly the same pace as other areas – a 1.2% rise – would only just keep pace with an ageing population and not allow any reversal of recent years’ deterioration in service quality, the IFS said.
Spending cuts could be achieved by scaling back services provided by the state, reducing public-sector employment or real-terms cuts in public-sector pay, it added.
But it warned the government needed to be specific about how it planned to make cuts, or risk financial markets losing confidence in its ability to keep borrowing under control.
The review does not cover spending on pensions or other benefits, which the government is tackling separately.
(Reporting by David Milliken, editing by Andy Bruce)
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Nigeria to establish special court for exam cheats – The Guardian Nigeria News
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By : Owede Agbajileke, Abuja
Date: 31 May 2025
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Tunji Alausa
The Nigerian Government has proposed setting up a National Examination Malpractice Court to swiftly prosecute exam cheats and curb malpractice nationwide.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, affirmed this recommendation of the 17-man committee headed by Professor Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as chairman, on Improvement of the Quality of Examination in Nigeria.
The committee which the Minister inaugurated in January this year submitted its interim report to him on Friday after about five months of extensive work, coming up with far-reaching recommendations aimed at improving the quality of examination and curbing examination malpractices in Nigeria.
Oloyede, in one of the recommendations, asked the Federal Ministry of Education to interface with the National Assembly to enact an Act to establish a National Examination Malpractice Court/Tribunal for prompt prosecution of examination malpractices to serve as a deterrent to others.
Alausa, in his response, assured the committee members that all the 12-point recommendations would be implemented, saying the government would deploy all its machinery to fight the menace of examination malpractice in Nigeria.
His words: “All the 12 recommendations that you reeled out, everyone will agree with me today that none of those recommendations will be impossible to implement. They are all practicable things. The one that we will implement now, we will do that right away, and once we leave here, myself and the permanent Secretary have work to do”.
Some of the recommendations of the committee include: “All documents, including certificates, registration and result slips, etc., should contain National Identification Number (NIN), photograph and date of birth to guard against identity theft and impersonation.
“All Invigilators and Supervisors must register through NIN and subscribe to the Examination body’s Short Code, using the same pattern of 55019/66019 of JAMB in order so track and have full information about the examination officials, including examiners, supervisors and invigilators.
“Swapping Invigilators and Supervisors, not candidates, should commence with effect from the 2025 private SSCE due to the strong views against student swapping expressed by the four concerned examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS) pertaining to security, logistics and the fact that centre details are traditionally printed on candidates’ certificates
“Except where absolutely impossible, Invigilators and Supervisors should always be public officials/teachers on pensionable appointments.
“The standard requirements of examination halls/centres should not be waived for any school, while the recommended seating arrangement should be 1.5m by 1.2m, or 1.8 sqm per candidate.
“All examination halls and centres should be equipped with stationary CCTV cameras for surveillance and monitoring purposes. In addition, every examination centre shall have a mini control room where the CCTV camera is monitored for urgent and immediate alert.
“All four concerned examination bodies shall jointly own central control facilities for their use during their examinations to save costs. Body camcorders should be deployed in examination halls and centres for effective monitoring.
“At the point of entry into Basic School, every pupil must generate a unique code which is linked to his/her NIN, which must be identified with the pupil throughout his/her educational journey in Nigeria.
“The Federal Ministry of Education should interface with the National Assembly to enact an Act to establish a National Examination Malpractice Court/Tribunal for prompt prosecution of examination malpractices to serve as deterrent for others.
“The non-implementation of the 1999 Examination Malpractice Act suggests either a lack of political will or non-implementability. Consequently, the Committee recommends a review of the Act in such a manner that it can be immediately implemented to curb examination malpractice.
“Rather than wait till 2027 as initially suggested, the Computer-Based Examination (CBE) should be implemented for objective questions in 2025 private examinations and in full for school candidates in 2026.
“The 30 per cent Continuous Assessment component in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations has become a veritable source of corruption in the examination system due to the fraudulent process of inputting the scores in arrears.
“It is therefore recommended that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and any other FME agency, which must have recommended the policy for the approval of the National Council on Education (NCE), should immediately be requested to review the Continuous Assessment System”.’
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Best of Utah: Body & Mind 2025 – Salt Lake City Weekly
March 19, 2025 Best of Utah
To borrow a phrase from my girl Miley Cyrus, 2025 came in like a wrecking ball. My family and I rang in the new year with a fresh pack of medical and professional woes that had well overstayed their welcome. I did find some solace in the fact that most of my friends and colleagues were also starting 2025 off in the throes of their own trials and tribulations–when the chips are down, there is some comfort in knowing that you’re not facing adversity alone.
During one of the days (weeks?) in which I found myself in a particularly funky funk, I was asked to be the editor of this year’s Best of Utah Body and Mind issue. At the time, the television in my mind was stuck on a screen of grayscale static, so I thought a bit of editorial work would be just the ticket to shift my focus from doomscrolling on social media to something a bit more proactive. Once I got started, I realized that this assignment couldn’t have come at a better time.
Though I was keeping things together with the help of my lovely family, I soon realized that the barrage of stressors that came out of the woodwork in January really did a number on me. There I was, staring at a list of literally hundreds of health and wellness professionals thinking to myself, “Man, if only there was something I could do to help get me out of this rut.”
Though it took longer than it needed to, the realization that I had an entire compendium of Utah’s finest healers, trainers, coaches and medical professionals at my fingertips once again hit me like a wrecking ball–but, you know, like a positive one.
With the presentation of the 2025 Best of Utah Body and Mind issue, here’s hoping that all the readers out there who are in search of solid ground find a safe harbor. Whether you’re in need of therapists to talk through your stress or insecurities, or looking for some alternative medicine to match up with your lifestyle, you’ve got an excellent resource in your hands.
On behalf of Salt Lake City Weekly, I’d just like to say thanks to all the people who voted for Best of Utah this year and for this great list of do-gooders that we have as a result. As always, remember to take care of each other–and yourselves–out there. If you don’t know how to do that, you now have access to hundreds of people who do.
–Alex Springer
Editor, Best of Utah Body and Mind
Skin Spa Utah
By Alex Springer
When it comes to personal health, our internal organs seem to get a bit more of our attention. Considering the fact that our skin happens to be the largest organ we have, it’s surprising how easy it is to neglect all that surface area. Taking a more active role in skin care not only has numerous physical benefits, but there are plenty of psychological benefits as well. There’s nothing like a dewy complexion to give the old self confidence a boost. Though over-the-counter skin care products are becoming more prominent, skin maintenance is one of those things that is best left to a professional like Kimee Palotta, owner of Skin Spa Utah.
Palotta has been an aesthetician in Utah for the past 24 years, and she has helped Skin Spa Utah evolve throughout that time. “I’ve always valued the holistic approach and I see the industry going more that way,” Palotta says. This is why Skin Spa Utah offers a wide variety of services like acne, hydrafacial and microcurrent treatments, among others. Skin Spa Utah has become known for its wide variety of services, but it’s Palotta that makes the experience special for her clients. “I measure success with every client that walks through my door,” Palotta notes. “I don’t really do any advertising, so everything I have is due to long-term clients that keep coming back and telling friends and family about me.”
While the basics of skin care seem like they are one-size-fits-all, Palotta cautions people to remember that everyone’s skin is unique. “Your skin is as individual as you are,” she stressed. “Just like good health is part of your life, good skin health is a lifelong process.” Having a local establishment that bases its treatments and services on the unique needs of the individual is a huge benefit for those who are looking to improve their skin.
As Skin Spa Utah approaches its clients on an individual basis, Palotta and her team have set the expectation to work with clients on their own skin care journey. Even if terms like microcurrents and BioRePeel are new to your vocabulary, the Skin Spa team happily helps its clients select the treatments that will be most effective for them. “Every person who comes in does so because something is up with their skin,” Palotta says. “They’ve tried everything, and to have them come in so I can partner with them on an in-clinic and homecare plan is incredible.”
In many ways, Palotta and her team assume the roles of personal trainers when it comes to skin care. Anyone who has been burned on the latest influencer-approved product will come to see the value of that relationship very quickly. “It’s part of our culture to compare ourselves to others, and that just puts so much pressure on people,” Palotta observed. “I think people put more pressure on looking good than they do on feeling good, and they don’t realize it’s a whole package.”
From a wide range of treatment options to a personal touch that has kept clients spreading the word, Skin Spa Utah has done a lot to earn its Best of Utah accolades. Led by Palotta and her knowledge of Utah’s unique climate and culture, Skin Spa Utah remains one of the best places to both learn more about skin health and seek out treatment for any number of skin conditions.
BEAUTY AND WELLNESS
Best Acne Treatment
Skin Spa Utah
skinspautah.com
2. Salt Lake Dermatology and Aesthetics
3. Swinyer Woseth Dermatology
Best Aesthetician
Kimee Palotta – Skin Spa Utah
skinspautah.com
2. Milly Aponte – Always Smooth Waxing Studio
3. Callie Buttars – Pineapple Express Aesthetics
Best Aesthetician School
Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare
skinworks.edu
2. NIMA Institute and Spa
Best Day Spa
The Kura Door
thekuradoor.com
2. Basalt Day Spa
3. The Cliff Spa
Best Eyebrow Specialist
Kimee Palotta – Skin Spa Utah
skinspautah.com
2. Callie Buttars – Pineapple Express Aesthetics
3. Storie Myers – Studio Storie Microblading
Best Eyelash Extensions
Pineapple Express Aesthetics
pineappleexpressutah.square.site
2. Lashes x Sandra
3. Jessica Lancaster – Designer Lash Collective
Best Facial
Kimee Palotta – Skin Spa Utah
skinspautah.com
2. Always Smooth Waxing Studio
3. Callie Buttars – Pineapple Express Aesthetics
Best Hair Restoration
Lucero Hair and Wellness
lucerohairandwellness.com
2. Utah Facial Plastics Hair Restoration
3. NIMA Institute and Spa
Best Hair Salon
Lunatic Fringe
lunaticfringesalon.com
2. Lucero Hair and Wellness
3. Sugarhouse Parlour
Best Hydrafacial
Skin Spa Utah
skinspautah.com
2. Rise Rejuvenation Center
3. Arlani Medspa
Best Injections and Fillers
Rise Rejuvenation Center
riserejuvenationcenter.com
2. Arlani Medspa
3. Modern SLC Injections & Aesthetics
Best Laser Hair Removal
Beauty Lab + Laser
beautylablaser.com
2. NIMA Institute and Spa
3. Elase Med Spa, American Fork
Best Makeup Consultant
Raven Feurer – 5D Salon
5dsalon.com
Best Manicures/Pedicures
Nailed!
nailedboutique.com
2. Sydney Hansen – Honey Cosmetics
3. Lori Lane Sartain – Crow Nail Studio
Best Medical Spa
Arlani Medspa
arlani.com
2. Cameron Wellness and Spa
3. Rise Rejuvenation Center
Best Natural Makeup Retailer
A Genie’s Dream
ageniesdreamboutique.com
Best Permanent Cosmetics Education
Studio Storie Microblading
studiostoriemicroblading.com
2. Ero Edge
3. Lilikoi Artistry
Best Permanent Makeup Beauty Shop
Venus House
venushouseslc.com
2. Ero Edge
3. Lilikoi Artistry
Best Tattoo Removal
Removery Tattoo Removal & Fading
removery.com
2. Lilikoi Artistry
3. NIMA Institute and Spa
Best Waxing Salon
Always Smooth Waxing Studio
alwayssmooth.co
2. Pineapple Express Aesthetics
3. Ero Edge
Flow Acupuncture
By Alex Springer
According to a Statista consumer insights survey done in 2023, 21% of Americans prefer alternative medicine to conventional medicine. It’s a number that has steadily increased as options for alternative and complementary medicine become available, and Utah has seen some local growth in this area. A conversation with Josh Williams and Dr. Rachel Silverstone of Flow Acupuncture helped shed some light on why more people are investigating alternative medicine.
Williams is a clinical herbalist and Best of Utah alum with multiple wins under his belt. His presence on this year’s list continues to show how much he has done for the community. He has been studying plant medicine for 25 years, and has had his own space at Flow for the last year and a half. “I got into herbalism in my late teens because I was disheartened by the medical machine even as a young person,” he recalls. “It was originally personal, but it turned into a desire to help others.”
Herbalism is what Williams calls “broad spectrum medicine, as long as it’s in the hands of a qualified and experienced herbalist.” Williams himself focuses on stress, anxiety and sleep issues. “Folks who find their way to working with me are usually at their wits’ end,” he says. “I get to show people why this medicine has so much longevity and empirical evidence.”
As herbalism often goes hand in hand with acupuncture, Williams’ practice at Flow has helped it become one of Utah’s preferred practices–well, that and the presence of licenced acupuncturists like Dr. Silverstone. After studying Chinese/Daoist medicine in the Wudang Mountains of China, she earned a doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, California. Dr. Silverstone also practices acupuncture at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she helps patients deal with some of the side effects of cancer treatments.
Since both Silverstone and Williams maintain a clinical relationship to their practice, both professionals agree that alternative medicine and conventional medicine often operate hand in hand. “Why walk on one leg when you can walk on two?” Silverstone declared. “Western medicine has a lot of strengths like getting imaging for a treatment that isn’t responding to acupuncture or spotting other red flags.” It’s a helpful perspective to have as oftentimes there is a rift between alternative and conventional medicine. The reality is that both schools of thought revolve around healing, and both approaches can complement each other on the path to wellbeing.
After speaking with Williams and Silverstone, it quickly becomes clear that they both share the same love and enthusiasm for helping people feel better. For Williams, herbalism is a way to make his clients aware of medicinal practices that have been effective for centuries. “I like the clinical side of what I do a lot,” he says. “Herbalism helps address the whole person rather than the isolated symptom.” Silverstone’s metric of success is how well her patients get in tune with their own bodies. “I get to facilitate a person’s interaction with their own chi, and when I come back into the room, everything feels so peaceful,” she reports. “That’s how I know I’ve been successful.”
Finding the Right Alternative Medicine For You
With an entire section of alternative and contemporary medicine at your disposal in this issue, it can be a bit daunting to get started. If you’re looking to supplement your medical journey with something a bit more esoteric or just curious about what options are available to you, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Listen to your body. As most alternative medicine employs a holistic approach, it’s important to pin down exactly what problem you’re having. Is it psychological? Physical? Emotional? Once you’ve narrowed down where your ailment is living, you can better verbalize what it is. From there, a bit of research on any of the fine providers we’ve got assembled here should point you in the right direction.
Open your mind. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy skepticism, but you should remain open to the process if you’re considering an alternative route to medicine. Even with Western medicine, writing off certain practices based on personal or ideological beliefs won’t get you anywhere. The same is true for alternative practices. As author Caroline Myss says, “The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.”
Embrace the journey. When it comes to medicine, people tend to get far too hung up on the idea of a cure without paying much attention to the journey. If you can remember that the journey itself is a part of fixing or managing a medical issue, it will help you figure out how to get started. Being honest with every stage of the journey is the best way to reach your wellness destination. (AS)
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE
Best Acupuncture Clinic
Flow Acupuncture
flowacupuncture.org
2. Valenti Acupuncture
3. Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic
Best Acupuncturist/Doctor of Chinese Medicine
Stephanie Scott – Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic
slcacu.com
2. Rebecca Conde
3. Mallory Berge
Best Ayurveda Practitioner
Josh Williams – Flow Acupuncture
thegreenarte.com
2. Emma Glass
3. Meghan Hays
Best Birth Photographer
Nicole Hamic
nicolehamic.com
2. Julie Francom
3. Salt City Birth and Newborn Photography
Best Breathwork Facilitator
Katie Schiffgen – Mosaic Yoga
mosaicyoga.squarespace.com
2. Letia Perry – Om Wellness Utah
3. Kat Dickinson – Terra Firma Healing Arts
Best Childbirth Education
Birthsmarter
birthsmarter.com
2. Birth Learning
3. SHAUNTEA Health and Wellness Coalition
Best Chiropractor
Dr. Anthony Simone – Doctor Tony Chiro Clinic
doctortonychiroclinic.com
2. Dr. Brett Grant
3. Dr. Suzanne Cronin
Best Cold Therapy
Glow
glowslc.com
2. Evolve Wellness Collective
3. Rytual Recovery
Best Crystal Shop
Synchronicities Light Energy Gift Emporium
synchronicities1111.com
2. Dave’s Health & Nutrition
3. Crystal Healer SLC
Best Doula
Beth Hardy – Heart Tones Birth Services
hearttonesbirth.com
2. Destiny Olsen – SHAUNTEA Health and Wellness Coalition
3. Jamie Kowalk – Heart Tones Birth Services
Best Float Tank
Evolve Wellness Collective
evolvewellness.love
2. Pure Sweat + Float Studio
3. Float Spa 19
Best Halotherapy (Salt Tank)
Evolve Wellness Collective
evolvewellness.love
2. Synchronicities Light Energy Gift Emporium
3. Pain Free Acupuncture
Best Herbalist
Josh Williams – Flow Acupuncture
flowacupuncture.org
2. Rebecca Conde – Earth Center Acupuncture
3. Dave Card – Dave’s Health and Nutrition
Best Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Rising Health Specialty Clinic
risinghealthspecialty.com
2. Utah Sports and Wellness
Best Hypnotherapist
Joesephine Lawrence – Hypnoclarity
hypnoclarityslc.com
2. Chad Anderson – Crystal Healer SLC
3. Drew Melebeck – Influence Therapy & Coaching
Best Integrative Medicine Practice
Cameron Wellness and Spa
cameronwellnessandspa.com
2. Utah Natural Medicine
3. Rising Health Specialty Clinic
Best Kinesiology Practitioner
Dr. Bre Dumke Helfrich – Movement Design Lab
movementdesignlab.com
2. Jim Quist – SLOPE Recovery
3. Michael King – Transformative Energies
Best Life Coach
Corinne Christopherson – Cottonwood Professional Coaching
cottonwoodcoaching.com
2. Kat Dickinson – Terra Firma Healing Arts
3. Anne Dorsey – Milk + Honey Wellness
Best Massage School
Healing Mountain Massage School (Salt Lake Campus)
healingmountain.edu
2. Myotherapy Massage College
3. The Iron Palm Massage Therapy
Best Massage Therapist
Brandee Olsen – Reset Esthetics
vagaro.com/resetestheticsmassage
2. Jeremy Wengreen – Healing Mountain Massage School
3. Christina Jaros – Wicked Wellness
Best Medical Cannabis
Dragonfly Wellness
dragonflywellness.com
2. WholesomeCo Cannabis
3. Beehive Farmacy
Best Natural Health Store
Dave’s Health & Nutrition
daveshealth.com
2. Good Earth Markets
3. Natural Grocers
Best Natural IV Drip Therapy
FIKA Infusion + Wellness
fikainfusion.com
2. Cameron Wellness and Spa
3. Rising Health Specialty Clinic
Best Naturopath
Dr. Rachel Burnett – Utah Natural Medicine
utahnaturalmedicine.com
2. Dr. Leslie Peterson – Full Circle Care
3. Dr. Todd Cameron – Cameron Wellness and Spa
Best Nutrition Health Coach
Anne Dorsey – Milk + Honey Wellness
milkandhoneywellness.com
2. Lindsay LaPaugh – LVL Holistics
3. Bailey Nielson – Solstice Holistic Healing and Wellness
Best Psychic
Karen Tao – Breathe Love
breathelove111.com
2. Lauren Stephan – Terra Firma Healing Arts
3. Cheryl Forester – Forester Tarot
Best Reiki Practitioner
Karen Tao – Breathe Love
breathelove111.com
2. Chad Anderson – Crystal Healer SLC
3. Autumn Salinas Kunz – Rabbit Hole Wellness
Best Sound Bath
Breathe Love
breathelove111.com
2. Terra Firma Healing Arts
3. Neon Sky Vibrations
Best Supplement Shop
Dave’s Health & Nutrition
daveshealth.com
2. Rising Health Specialty Clinic
3. Natural Law Apothecary
Best Weight-Loss Clinic
Utah Natural Medicine
utahnaturalmedicine.com
2. Rise Rejuvenation Center
3. Unite Fitness Retreat
Best Wellness Center
Terra Care SLC
terracareslc.com
2. Evolve Wellness Collective
3. Flow Acupuncture
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India Poised To Grow Rapidly In Data Science Education: Paul Kim, Stanford University – Analytics India Magazine
The popularity of data science education has soared over the last few years. Subsequently, field’s job prospects have also gone up, with companies worldwide looking to hire skilled professionals to drive business processes. The nonlinear growth of data science has posed significant challenges for universities developing data science courses and individuals looking to pursue it as a career.
For this week’s data science career series, Analytics India Magazine got in touch with Paul Kim, the Chief Technology Officer and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University.
Known as an education technology entrepreneur, Professor Kim leads initiatives involving the design of learning technologies, educational research, and community development. His work aims at promoting innovation and competition by constructing a programmable and open mobile internet — POMI.
In an advisory capacity, Paul has played a role in Saudi Arabia’s national online education initiative, the national evaluation of Uruguay’s One Laptop Per Child project and Rwanda’s national ICT planning.
In this interview, he provides an overview of the data science market and the challenges universities face in developing a practical data science course. He also spoke about the future of the aspiring data scientist for the current era.
All sectors have welcomed data science with open arms. The COVID pandemic has accelerated ICT adoption in teaching, learning, assessment, and administrative functions. “I would say COVID has created R&D opportunities along with available funding more than any other catalysts in the past few decades,” said Paul.
Professor Kim believes India is in a much better position in terms of the data science education market because of the multiple technology innovation powerhouses strategically located in India and their growing needs for the future workforce in data science and artificial intelligence. He said, “while big contenders are obviously the US and China, but with institutional on financing and governmental support in terms of policies and regulatory issues, India is poised to grow rapidly in the overall data science education and application areas.”
This has led many universities, edtech platforms, tech companies, and governments to come up with free courses during the pandemic. However, there has been a massive learning gap between the course structures and the skills required to land a job.
Paul said, considering data science is a rapidly advancing field, universities steeped in traditional models of governance and decision-making processes will have a hard time instrumenting data science courses. That’s why “universities in India must transform to align with many of competing alternative education options such as online boot camps and non-traditional talent development organisations.”
Paul also mentioned the importance of government and corporation involvement in encouraging more students to choose data science subjects. “Governments can figure out ways to remove policy and regulation related barriers while corporations can work closely with educational entities that are nimble and flexible to provide the most invigorating and fast-developing data science curriculum in the world,” he said.
Paul stated, being well-rounded, skilled talents who can use a wide lens of viewing capability to understand the true needs of the industry and users while genuinely developing empathy to solve most intractable problems is the key to become a real data scientist.
“Do not follow people around you, but develop your own unique skill sets, so you are rare species in the data science ecosystem,” advised Paul. “If you follow others and be just another data science worker, you may not be necessarily a highly sought talent in the whole ecosystem.”
While there are many online courses and MOOCs currently available for data science enthusiasts, Paul bets high on a professional degree in data science. A professional degree is for those who couldn’t demonstrate his or her talent with competitive problem-solving skills, said Paul.
“Though these degrees can help get one to an interview if one cannot demonstrate their competency, they are not going to secure a career opportunity they want,” he added.
“At the end of the day, what makes a difference between a competent contender versus a mediocre contender is in the genuine passion for being the best,” he concluded.
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Wildfires in Manitoba, Canada, to send smoke into Chicago area starting Friday – CBS News
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/ CBS Chicago
Leaders in the Canadian Province of Manitoba have issued a state of emergency as wildfires continue to rage there, forcing thousands of people to evacuate.
The inferno will impact the Chicago area too, with smoke descending downtown as soon as Friday.
As anyone who was around two years ago will remember, this is not the first time a hazy, unhealthy back of air engulfed and choked Chicago.
The fire is more than 1,300 miles away — almost a 24-hour drive — and in a different country. But CBS News Chicago Meteorologist David Yeomans explained why the smoke from what is burning in Manitoba will be down Chicago’s way very soon.
In short, all the air will be flowing right toward Chicago from Canada.
“[The] northwest wind going to drive the smoke right into our area,” Yeomans said, “possibly for three days.”
Smoky Chicago skies caused major health concerns multiple times in the summer of 2023. The city made national headlines in late June for having the worst air quality in the world.
COn one June day, several places in Cook County registered an AQI, or air quality index, of above 200 — considered “very unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency. At one point on Tuesday, June 27, Chicago was at level 228.
Beaches were closed and events were canceled around the Chicago area due to the smoke in the air that month.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency does not expect this weekend’s smoke infiltration to be as dangerous as June 2023, and there are no plans for an Air Pollution Action Day as was issued then.
But Loyola Medicine pulmonologist Dr. Sean Forsythe wants everyone to remain alert nevertheless.
“Air pollution isn’t healthy for anyone,” Forsythe said.
When a wall of dust descended on Chicago during a rare dust storm on Friday, May 16, Dr. Forsythe’s phone didn’t stop ringing.
“More asthma patients were having problems,” he said.
Forsythe expects another influx of calls this weekend when the smoke settles in the Chicago area.
“The smaller particulates can penetrate deeper into the lungs and get absorbed into the bloodstream, and so those are the ones that start to raise the risk of strokes, heart attacks,” Forsythe said.
Forsythe said even moderate levels of smoke will make people cough of experience shortness of breath.
“It will raise risk of lung disease being exacerbated, and everybody might not feel great when they’re out in that weather,” he said.
Forsythe explained why people exercising outdoors, including those running in the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 half marathon on Sunday, might especially feel the effects.
“You tend to breathe deeper and faster, and so you’re getting more exposure to that particulate matter,” he said.
Why are wildfires impacting our neighbors to the north, and Chicago, again? It has to do with climate change.
“Warmer temperatures dry out the vegetation more, right? And temperatures in that area have been 10 to 20 degrees warmer than normal,” Yeomans said. “Our partners at Climate Central have found this is reaching a climate shift index of 5 — in other words, this is an exceptional climate change-driven event, made at least five times more likely by climate change.”
Half-marathon organizers said their forecasting shows conditions for the race this weekend will be “green,” or ideal. They plan to monitor air quality closely and will provide updates if anything changes.
Lauren Victory is a Morning Insider reporter for CBS2 Chicago. Lauren joined the station in May 2016 and is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
