State and National News

The Telegraph reports that props from the Olympics opening ceremony are appearing on eBay — everything from an "Industrial Revolution" costume, to pieces of confetti that erupted as Great Britain's team entered the stadium. Some of the performers are calling it "crass." But a seller pointed out it is in the spirit of the games — because it could "help me achieve my own ambitions."

Guy Adams, a reporter at the British daily The Independent, says his Twitter account was shut down after he urged followers to contact an NBC executive with their gripes about the delayed broadcast. He included the name of the network's Olympics president and his e-mail address. NBC filed a complaint with Twitter, arguing the tweet violated the service's privacy rules because it included personal information.

"Republican congressional investigators have concluded that five senior ATF officials ... are collectively responsible for the failed Fast and Furious gun-tracking operation that was 'marred by missteps, poor judgments and inherently reckless strategy,' " the Los Angeles Times reports.

Renee Montagne talks with Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa about what can be done to regulate for-profit colleges' alleged abusive recruitment policies and high dropout rates. Harkin heads the committee that conducted a two-year investigation into the colleges — and issued a scathing report Monday.

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, wrapped up a week-long foreign trip today, with a speech in Warsaw, Poland. His trip overseas, which began in London and then on to Jerusalem, was designed to bolster Romney's foreign policy credentials, but instead it's been riddled with gaffs and controversy.

Joining us now from Warsaw, is NPR's Eric Westervelt. Good morning.

ERIC WESTERVELT, BYLINE: Good morning, Renee.

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Ask a lot of people and they'll tell you math is not their strong suit. In an international student assessment program in 2009, the United States was ranked 25th in math proficiency. A parent in New Jersey wants to help change that, beginning with a new nightly ritual, as Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

American swimmer Missy Franklin is back in the Olympic pool in London Tuesday for her third race in two days. The 17-year-old from Colorado is being cast as America's next great swimming star. She fit the bill Monday with her first gold medal, in the 100-meter backstroke.

The latest results and what's coming up at the Olympic swimming pool in London — including another shot at Olympic history for American Michael Phelps, and a missed medal for his teammate Ryan Lochte.

There has been much grousing on social media about NBC tape-delaying marquee Olympic events until its prime-time broadcast. Twitter users say it's a "stone-age" model, but NBC says it needs to protect its $1.8 billion investment. So far, ratings are up.