August 27, 2025 until further notice – Half-Staff Alert – Minnesota

All United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota immediately (until further notice), in honor of the lives lost to gun violence at Annunciation Catholic School.

https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/flag-status/ 

• Public Law 107-89: Approved on December 18, 2001, this joint resolution officially designated September 11th of each year as “Patriot Day”.
• Presidential Proclamation: The law annually requests the President to issue a proclamation for Patriot Day, urging federal entities and the American people to fly the flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

Half-staff flag rules for Patriot Day

• Duration: Fly the flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
• Procedure: To fly the flag at half-staff, first hoist it briskly to the peak for a moment before lowering it to the halfway position. When lowering the flag for the night, first raise it to the peak again before bringing it all the way down.
• Other flags: If other flags (state, military, or custom) are flown on the same pole as the U.S. flag, they should either be removed or also flown at half-staff.
• Non-standard poles: For flags that cannot be lowered to half-staff, a black mourning ribbon or streamer can be attached to the top of the flagpole as an alternative.
• Moment of silence: The law also calls for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT, the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center, to remember the victims.

Steve Kuczynski – Connecticut Department of Developmental Services Employee

Reason: Flag Lowering for Steve Kuczynski, DDS Employee

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-23

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-23

Full Details:

See source for full text

Source: Governor Ned Lamont

Honor 18th Judicial District Division 10 Judge Bruce Brown

August 22 – August 30, 2025

TOPEKA – Today, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly directed flags be lowered to half-staff at the State Capitol Complex and all court buildings and facilities to honor 18th Judicial District Division 10 Judge Bruce Brown.
“Judge Brown had a long career of service to his community and commitment throughout his tenure on the bench,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “On behalf of the State of Kansas, I thank him for his dedication to upholding the law. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Judge Brown passed away on August 21, 2025, and flags will remain half-staff until he is interred. This flag order will be updated when the date of interment is determined.

Source: Governor Laura Kelly

Joe Reece Salter – Former Legislator and Speaker of Lousiana House

Reason: In honor of former legislator and Speaker Joe Reece Salter

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-21

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-24

Full Details:

Governor Landry ordered U.S. and Louisiana flags to half-staff over the State Capitol and all state buildings August 22 & 24, 2025 in honor of former Louisiana legislator and former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Joe Reece Salter.

Source: Office of the Governor of Louisiana

Trooper First Class Dennis Dewayne Ricks, Jr. – of the South Carolina Highway Patrol

Aug 20 – Aug 20, 2025

The Governor orders that the flags atop the State Capitol be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in tribute to Trooper First Class Dennis Dewayne Ricks, Jr. of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and in honor of his selfless service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The Governor requests that the flags over state buildings and buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose.

Source: The Governor of South Carolina

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Reason: National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-21

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-21

Full Details:

In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in honor of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost to fentanyl poisoning, the families forever affected, and the profound impact this crisis has on our communities. It is also a time to honor those working tirelessly to advance awareness, education, and prevention efforts in Virginia and across the nation.

I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and remain at half-staff until sunset.

Source: Governor Glenn Youngkin

Laura Zumbusch-Wood – Victoria Fire Department Firefighter

Reason: Victoria Fire Department Firefighter Laura Zumbusch-Wood Memorial

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-21

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-21

Full Details:

All United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in honor and remembrance of Victoria Fire Department Firefighter Laura Zumbusch-Wood.

Source: Governor Tim Walz, State of Minnesota

Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada – Tremonton-Garland Police Department

Aug 18 – Aug 29, 2025

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has issued an order for the flags of the United States of America and the great state of Utah to be flown at half-staff on all state facilities in honor of Tremonton-Garland Police Department’s Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, who were killed in the line of duty.

Flags should be lowered to the half-staff position beginning immediately on Monday, Aug. 18 and remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment.

The Governor’s Office will send an additional notice indicating when flags may be returned to full staff.

The governor extends an invitation to all private citizens, businesses, and other organizations to participate in this recognition.

Source: Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox