Aeronautics and astronautics programs at the US Air Force Academy, Colo., were ranked best in the nation Tuesday in the US News & World Report Best Colleges 2017. As a whole, the Academy was ranked as the third best national liberal arts college and seventh best undergraduate engineering program, according to a press release. US News and World Report generates the rankings using a formula that considers, among other factors, assessment from peer institutions, graduation rate, faculty resources, retention, and alumni giving. Other Academy programs that were ranked include electrical/electronic/communications (fourth), mechanical engineering (seventh), and business (48th).
Back from a Thanksgiving week recess, the push to pass the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act hit another snag Nov. 29, as the Senate voted against ending debate on its version of the bill. At the same time, Congress is staring down a Dec. 3 expiration date for its continuing…