By Izin Akhabau

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, Sept. 16 and Post columnist Monica Hesse wrote about the Sydney Sweeney ad campaign that’s getting everyone talking. Now, let’s get to the news.

	Three died after a news helicopter crashed while covering a Los Angeles accident.

• What happened? The chopper crashed and burst into flames near a large storage facility in the San Fernando Valley’s Chatsworth neighborhood. It went down just before 7 p.m.

• The details: The plane was covering a nearby SUV-bus collision, which killed two. NBC later identified two of those who died in the plane crash.

The Kennedy Center has closed.

• Why? The board voted to close the building for a two-year renovation. However, President Donald Trump threatened to block the $250 million overhaul if his name isn’t added to the institution.

• What to know: Hours before the vote, a judge had blocked an attempt to return Trump’s name to the building. Read the proposal to close the center, which mentions much-needed repairs and financial woes.

• Looking back: For over 50 years, the center stood as a symbol of the importance of the arts — see its history here.

The FBI director faced sharp questions from senators about his firing of agents.

• Yesterday: Kash Patel defended his ousting of scores of experienced agents before the Senate Judiciary Committee. He also refused to say who won the 2020 election.

• More politics news: Trump told Republicans to talk about him and his $5,000 payout pledge — but most aren’t. And he slammed his Supreme Court appointees over the mail ballot ruling.

The Iran war cost $38 billion through July, according to a report.

• The details: The U.S. is expected to spend up to $3 billion a month as the war continues according to the Congressional Budget Office. And this Iran-backed group has made sweeping gains.

• In the House: A measure intended to halt the Iran war was passed. These seven Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the largely symbolic vote.

• One more thing: The Trump administration is preparing a controversial bomb sale to Israel.

More opening acts have quit Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore’s removal.

• The background: Rapper Macklemore was dismissed from his opening spot for pro-Palestine comments. In a statement, Sheeran said tour promoters had chosen to boot the rapper.

• Since then: The remaining opening acts have quit in solidarity. Sheeran said: “There is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.” See his full statement here.

You can get stronger with this easy 6-move resistance band workout.

• Low-impact, fast and cheap: Resistance bands may build strength as effectively as conventional gym equipment for people from all walks of life, a study found. Follow this expert workout.

• Another health story: It could soon become harder to get coverage for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. See why companies may stop covering the medication here.

It’s not just you. Burger prices are staggering, and here’s why.

• A new reality: Beef prices have soared up to 30 percent in the past few years. So restaurants have developed a number of tricks to avoid passing all the costs onto consumers.

• Once unthinkable: A $30 — or higher — burger can be found on menus from New York to California.