You’re driving to work or walking the dog, and you see it. The local post office or the state capitol has the colors sitting halfway down the pole. It’s a somber sight that usually triggers a quick mental checklist: Did a former President pass away? Was there a national tragedy? Honestly, it’s kinda unsettling when you don't know the "why" behind the gesture.
Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, the answer depends heavily on where you’re standing. In the United States, there isn't a single federal mandate from the White House covering every single state today. However, several governors have issued specific proclamations that have flags lowered across major parts of the country.
Why are the flags flying at half mast right now in New Jersey?
The most widespread reason for the lowered flags today involves the state of New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 412, which officially directs both the U.S. flag and the New Jersey state flag to fly at half-staff.
This order is in effect from sunrise today, Friday, January 16, 2026, through sunset tomorrow, Saturday, January 17.
The state is mourning the loss of Richard "Dick" Zimmer. If you aren't familiar with the name, Zimmer was a bit of a powerhouse in Jersey politics for decades. He was a Yale-educated lawyer who climbed the ranks from the State Assembly to the State Senate, eventually serving three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 12th Congressional District.
📖 Related: When Did Dunkirk Take Place? The May 1940 Timeline That Changed Everything
Governor Murphy noted that Zimmer was basically a champion for "fiscal responsibility and child safety." He’s often credited with helping push through Megan’s Law, a massive piece of legislation that most of us take for granted now. Because of his long tenure and the respect he earned on both sides of the aisle, the state is taking these 48 hours to recognize his legacy.
Other states with active half-staff orders
New Jersey isn't the only place where the breeze is catching flags at the midway point. A few other states have ongoing or specific orders for today:
- Arizona: Governor Katie Hobbs recently ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to honor former Attorney General Mark Brnovich. He was a well-known figure who served two terms as the state’s top prosecutor. The order was set to remain in place until further notice or through his interment.
- Louisiana: Flags were ordered to half-staff to honor The Honorable Robert "Bob" Kostelka, a respected figure in the state's legal and legislative history.
- Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds issued a standing order for fallen service members or notable figures, which has carried into this week for specific regional honors.
It’s worth noting that if you’re in Queensland or the Australian Capital Territory, you’ll see the Australian National Flag at half-mast today as well. They are holding a State Funeral for The Honourable Ron Boswell AO, a long-serving Senator who was a massive advocate for the fishing industry and regional Queensland.
The rules of the "Half-Staff" game
People often use "half-mast" and "half-staff" interchangeably. Technically? "Half-mast" is for ships and naval stations. "Half-staff" is for land. But honestly, everyone knows what you mean regardless of the word you use.
There is actually a very specific way to do this. You don’t just hoist the flag halfway and tie it off. According to the U.S. Flag Code, you have to briskly hoist the flag to the very top (the peak) for an instant before ceremoniously lowering it to the half-staff position. When it’s time to take it down for the night, you have to hoist it back to the peak again before lowering it all the way.
Who gets to decide?
Only a few people have the legal authority to order the flag to half-staff:
- The President of the United States (for national mourning).
- The Governor of a state or territory.
- The Mayor of the District of Columbia.
Local mayors or business owners might lower their flags to honor a local hero—like a high school coach or a beloved town doctor—but technically, they don't have the "official" authority under the federal Flag Code to do so for the U.S. flag. Most people look the other way on that because the intent is respectful, but if you're a stickler for the rules, that's the breakdown.
Common misconceptions about lowered flags
One of the biggest things people get wrong is thinking that every time they see a flag down, it's a national event. Most of the time, it's a state-level honor.
For instance, earlier this month, flags were down in California for Commander Scott Aaron and in New York for Sergeant Michael L. Piro. These were heroes in their respective communities who died in the line of duty. Unless the President issues a national proclamation—which usually happens for the death of a former President, a Supreme Court Justice, or a massive national tragedy—the flags are usually lowered for "local" giants.
How to stay updated
If you’re someone who hates being out of the loop, you can actually sign up for alerts. Most state government websites have a "Flag Status" page where you can drop your email. It’s a quick way to know exactly why the flags are flying at half mast right now without having to dig through news feeds.
For today, if you're in the Northeast, it’s almost certainly for Congressman Zimmer. If you're elsewhere, it's likely a tribute to a local first responder or a state official who dedicated their life to public service.
To properly observe these moments, you don't need to do anything grand. Just seeing the flag and taking a second to acknowledge that someone—whether it's a lawmaker like Zimmer or a local firefighter—gave a significant portion of their life to the public is exactly what the tradition is for.
If you are a business owner or a homeowner with a flagpole, ensure your flag follows the "peak-then-lower" rule mentioned earlier. If your flag is attached to the house at an angle (a wall-mounted pole), you can attach a black crepe streamer to the top of the pole to signify mourning, as you can't physically lower the flag to a "half" position on those types of mounts.