To answer why flags are at half staff today, I’ll outline the general reasons and how to verify for today specifically. Direct answer

• Flags are typically lowered to half-staff in response to official proclamations or observances issued by the President or state governors, usually to honor a notable person, a tragic event, or in remembrance of service members or other public figures. The dates and scope are defined by the issuing authority and apply to federal or state buildings and sometimes to private and local entities that choose to follow the proclamations. Today’s half-staff status would depend on any such official order currently in effect for your location. If you’re asking about a specific state or organization, I can confirm the exact reason and duration for today if you specify the location.

What to check to confirm today’s status

• Look up the official half-staff proclamation for your jurisdiction (federal or state level) and check its effective dates and times (sunrise to sunset is a common window, but not universal).
• Check official government or state media releases, or your local public safety or governor’s office communications, for today’s half-staff directive.
• If unsure about a particular place (e.g., a university or private entity), note that private institutions often follow federal guidelines or issue their own memorial proclamations; official statements from the institution or campus safety/administration will confirm.

If you tell me your location (country/state/c city) and whether you’re asking about a public building, a specific institution, or all buildings in a region, I can provide a precise, current explanation for today and cite the exact proclamation details.