NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: Economy hurting Obama

Fighting a swell of economic anxiety, President Barack Obama has lost much of the narrow lead he held just a month ago over Mitt Romney and the two are locked in a virtually even race for the White House, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. A majority of Americans disapprove of how the president is handling a national economy that fewer people think is improving, the survey found. Less than five months before the election, 47 percent say they will vote for Obama and 44 percent for Romney, a difference that is not statistically significant. Only 3 out of 10 adults say the country is headed in the right direction and 55 percent disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy. Yet, in a measure of Romney's own vulnerabilities, even some who say they support Romney believe the president will still be re-elected.

INDIANA: Daniels to head Purdue

Gov. Mitch Daniels was named the next president of Purdue University on Thursday, virtually assuring that the popular two-term governor will not be Mitt Romney's vice-presidential pick. Daniels will assume the job in January, when a new governor is sworn in. Until then, he will not be stumping for Republicans, including Romney. "Effective immediately, I will recuse myself from any partisan political activities or commentary," he said. Daniels passed on his own presidential bid earlier this year.

VIRGINIA: U. Va. reconsiders ouster

The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors will consider reinstating President Teresa Sullivan, even as the board's leader defends her actions in asking her to step down. The board announced it would vote Tuesday on whether to retain Sullivan, whose resignation is effective Aug. 15. In the uproar over the ouster, 10 of the university's 11 school deans and the Faculty Senate called for her reinstatement. One board rector, Helen Dragas, said the reasons for her ouster included that Sullivan wasn't addressing financial and other challenges quickly enough.