Flags are typically lowered to half-staff to honor a recent death of a prominent public figure, such as a former vice president, president, or other government officials, or in response to national tragedies or days of remembrance. Today, the most common reason cited nationwide is the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney, with traditional practice dictating flags be flown at half-staff through the day of interment or for a designated period set by federal or state authorities. Local authorities may also issue half- staff orders to honor specific individuals or events. Key points to understand:

• National vs local: A half-staff declaration can come from the President or a governor. Federal guidance supersedes state guidance, but states may issue additional orders for state buildings and officials.
• Timing: Half-staff periods often begin immediately upon announcement and last until interment or a specified number of days, commonly around 10 days for a vice president, though exact durations vary by proclamation.
• What half-staff means: It is a sign of mourning or remembrance. On land, flags are lowered to half-staff on flagpoles; at sea, ships typically fly at half-mast.

If you’d like, I can look up the exact current half-staff directive for today in your city or state and summarize who or what it’s honoring and the duration.