Short answer: Flags are at half-mast (half-staff) in many places as a mark of mourning or tribute following the death of a notable figure or in honor of specific events or responders, and in November 2025 this has been happening in several states and at federal facilities due to the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney, among other memorials. What’s driving the current half- staff observances
- National precedent: When a former vice president dies, federal guidance often calls for flags to be flown at half-staff until interment or for a specified period, with states often following suit in alignment with federal or state proclamations. This is supported by official guidance from veterans and flag-custodian authorities and is commonly observed across federal and state buildings.
- Recent notable deaths and memorials: The death of former Vice President Dick Cheney in early November 2025 prompted proclamations or unilateral actions by several governors and the White House to lower flags to half-staff in his honor, as well as in some cases for other fallen public servants or responders. States like California, Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Florida, Texas, and Minnesota, among others, reported half-staff observances in connection with Cheney’s death or related memorial declarations.
Common patterns you may see
- Scope: Flags at federal buildings, military installations, and many state and local government buildings may be lowered. Private buildings often follow public proclamations but are not legally required to do so.
- Duration: Typically, half-staff lasts from the day of the death through interment or for a declared period (often 10 days for a former VP in federal practice, but state practices can vary). Some notices specify until burial or interment, others use a set number of days.
- Uniformity vs. local discretion: While there is a federal baseline, states frequently exercise their own discretion to honor the deceased, which is why you may see differences from one state to another.
What you can check to confirm today
- Look for official proclamations from your state governor’s office or the White House for the current half-staff status and the rationale (often tied to mourning a specific individual or honoring public servants). These announcements are typically posted on state government or White House websites, and sometimes carried by major news outlets.
- Local notices: Many county or city governments issue their own half-staff advisories in line with state proclamations, so checking local government websites or reputable news coverage can provide precise details for your area.
If you’d like, I can pull up the latest official statements for your specific state or locale to give you exact dates and the person or event being honored.
