News Briefing: Economy Expected to Take a Toll on Charitable Giving

• Several prominent foundations in the New York area have been particularly damaged by the recent collapses on Wall Street.  [New York Times]

• The Howard Hughes Medical Institute chooses Robert Tjian, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Berkeley, as its next president.  [New York Times]

• Thirty-three pastors defy a federal law that prohibits U.S. clergy from endorsing political candidates from the pulpit.  [Washington Post]