Or perhaps some regional tragedy I’m overlooking? There are U.S. flags at half-mast in Virginia and North Carolina, and I haven’t been able to find out why.
We lowered the flags here recently for the anniversary of the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis.
Perhaps something like that? An anniversary rather than a recent thing?
In VA, it’s a memorial for the SEALs killed in the helicopter crash.
Not sure about NC.
So THAT’S what that was! I’d see them all over St. Paul and think “am I missing something here?”
I know, it drove me crazy most the day trying to figure it out until I got home and searched on Google news.
Nitpick: A flag can be “half-mast” only on a ship, because that’s where masts are. On land, it’s “half-staff.”
Ah, thanks for that – I live in VA and wondered. They just closed some major roads for a 9/11 memorial motorcycle ride. I’m not sure why they’re having it now, the 10th anniversary of “3 weeks before anything happened,” but I thought maybe THAT was what the flag position commemorated.
The power to order the flags lowered, like the power to commute sentences, is one of those weird but fascinating gubernatorial responsibilities.
Right you are. Thanks.
All Southerners are important! 
On Naval bases, flags on land are often displayed on salvaged masts.
Best username/post combination here so far.
I was actually at an Air Force museum in Beavercreek, Oh a few weeks back ant the flags on the base were at half staff. I never did find out why. I assumed it was somebody from that base (or tied to that base in a way) that is “famous”. I guess there are a lot of those that you just don’t hear about.
That’s what you get for rushing and making only a half-mast attempt.
Don’t forget to tip your waitresses
A couple of Minnesotans were also SEALs on the helicopter that crashed - one of their funerals was last weekend (and seemed like it was going to be rather large, from reports on MPR). It’s my guess that half-staff flags here in Minnesota were probably for both.