You’re driving to work, or maybe just walking the dog, and you see it. The American flag is sitting halfway down the pole. It’s a jarring sight. Honestly, it usually sends a little spike of anxiety through most of us. Did someone famous pass away? Was there another national tragedy?
Figuring out why is the flag half staff right now isn't always as simple as checking the front page of a major news site. Sometimes it’s a national mandate from the President, but other times, it’s a local tribute ordered by a Governor that only affects your specific state or even a single county.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the reason for the lowered flags is a mix of state-level honors and the lingering protocols of federal law. If you're in Arizona, you've likely noticed flags at half-staff. Governor Katie Hobbs ordered them lowered to honor former Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a man who served two terms and was a fixture in Arizona politics for years. That's a local order, so if you're crossing the border into California or New Mexico, you might see the flags flying high and proud at the top of the mast.
The Rules Behind the Mourning
It’s kinda fascinating how the U.S. Flag Code works. It isn't just a set of "suggestions." It’s actually federal law (Title 4, Chapter 1), though there aren't "flag police" who come to your house to arrest you if you get it wrong.
Basically, only two people have the authority to lower the American flag: the President of the United States and the Governor of a state or territory. The Mayor of D.C. has this power too.
The timeline for how long a flag stays down is actually very specific:
- 30 Days: For the death of a current or former President.
- 10 Days: For a Vice President, Chief Justice, or Speaker of the House.
- Interment Day: For Associate Justices, Cabinet members, and former Vice Presidents.
- Peace Officers Memorial Day: Every May 15th (unless it falls on Armed Forces Day).
Why You See Different Flags at Different Heights
Have you ever noticed the American flag is halfway down, but the state flag or the corporate flag next to it is still at the top? That’s technically a "flag foul."
According to the rules, no flag should ever fly higher than the U.S. flag. If the Stars and Stripes are at half-staff, everything else on that property—state flags, POW/MIA flags, even your local sports team banner—needs to come down to that same level.
In New Jersey, residents just finished a period of mourning for Congressman Dick Zimmer. Governor Phil Murphy had those flags lowered through yesterday, January 17th. If you still see them down today in Trenton or Newark, it’s likely just a delay in the maintenance crew getting out there to raise them back up. On the flip side, New Jersey is already bracing for another period of half-staff status starting January 22nd to honor the late Governor Dick Codey.
It’s a lot to keep track of.
The "Secret" National Orders
Sometimes the flag is down for reasons that don't make the evening news. Take the death of a foreign dignitary or a tragedy involving first responders.
In Maryland, flags were lowered recently for Detective Paul Hoke. In Massachusetts, it was for Officer Stephen LaPorta. These local heroes don't always get a "Breaking News" alert on your phone, but their communities honor them with the highest mark of respect the flag can offer.
What most people get wrong is thinking the flag is only for "famous" people. It’s not. It’s for service. Whether it’s a soldier who died in a training accident or a local representative who spent forty years in the statehouse, the flag is the ultimate equalizer in grief.
How to Properly Lower the Flag
If you’re a business owner or a homeowner with a flagpole, there is a very specific "etiquette" to this. You don’t just hoist it halfway and stop.
- The Snap: First, you hoist the flag briskly all the way to the very top (the peak).
- The Salute: Hold it there for a brief moment.
- The Lowering: Then, slowly and ceremoniously, lower it to the halfway point.
- The Sunset: When you take the flag down for the night, you have to hoist it back to the peak again before lowering it all the way to be folded.
It’s about the "drama" of the movement. It signifies that the flag should be at the top, but it is being held down by the weight of the nation's sorrow. Sorta poetic when you think about it.
Where to Check the Status Daily
Since orders change fast—sometimes within hours of a breaking event—it’s hard to stay updated. Most state government websites have a "Flag Status" page.
If you're wondering why is the flag half staff right now and you don't see a national headline, check your Governor’s recent executive orders. Usually, there’s a PDF floating around the state's official portal explaining exactly who is being honored.
Actionable Steps for Today:
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- Check Local News: If you're in Arizona or New Jersey, check your local government's press releases for specific timing on when to return to full-staff.
- Verify Your Property: If you manage a flag, ensure all secondary flags (state, corporate) are leveled with the U.S. flag.
- Observe the 24-Hour Rule: If your flag isn't illuminated by a spotlight at night, it must be taken down at sunset, even if it's at half-staff.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for flag status alerts from your state’s administrative department to avoid being the only house on the block with the "wrong" flag height.
Understanding the "why" behind the flag helps us connect with the community. It’s a silent conversation we’re all having about who we value and what we’ve lost. Next time you see it, take a second to look up the name behind the order. It’s usually a story worth knowing.