Half-mast

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered flags flown at half-staff statewide from sunup to sundown this Friday, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Kelly's office said the gesture honors the nearly 3,000 Americans killed and thousands injured, as well as the more than 400 first responders who died while saving lives that day.

President Donald Trump separately issued a proclamation designating the anniversary as "Patriot Day, 2026," directing federal departments and agencies to fly flags at half-staff in honor of the 2,977 victims. Trump's proclamation also recognized first responders who continue to suffer health effects from their service and members of the Armed Forces who have served in the years since the attacks. The observances reflect ongoing national commemoration efforts tied to the milestone anniversary.

Ohio is honoring former State Representative and State Senator Ray Miller, who died late last month at age 77. Flags at public buildings across Franklin County, including the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower, are being flown at half-staff through sunset Saturday, the day of Miller's funeral.

Miller served a combined 24 years at the Ohio Statehouse, first as a state representative from 1981 to 1993 and again from 1998 to 2002, before serving in the state senate until 2011. He also worked as a deputy special assistant in President Jimmy Carter's White House, founded the Columbus African American News Journal, and spent time with AFSCME/Ohio Council 8 and as a vice president at Columbus State Community College. He received the Poindexter Award from Columbus City Council in February. A community tribute was held Friday at Second Baptist Church, with a memorial service following Saturday.

Olive Branch, Mississippi Mayor Ken Adams is facing online backlash after saying he would not lower the city flag to half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton, who died August 25 at age 80. In a Facebook post that drew more than 2,000 comments, Adams praised Parton's contributions but argued that half-staff honors should be reserved for military heroes, fallen first responders, presidents and other major national leaders, not celebrities. He said the decision for a city should rest with its mayor, distinct from choices made by the president or governor.

President Donald Trump and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves had ordered U.S. and state flags flown at half-staff for a week following Parton's death, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee similarly ordered flags lowered statewide and lit the State Capitol pink in her memory. Most commenters on Adams's post disagreed with his stance, citing Parton's charitable work, including her Imagination Library literacy program and support for veterans and first responders. Adams maintained his position was not about disrespecting Parton or politics, but about preserving the significance of the honor.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has ordered American and state flags at government buildings lowered to half-staff following the death of Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, according to her family. Flags will remain lowered from 6 p.m. Tuesday through sunset on Sept. 1. President Donald Trump has issued a similar order for U.S. flags nationwide through the same date.

Spanberger's order cited Parton's cultural contributions and her Imagination Library, a book-gifting program launched in 1995 that provides free books to children under five and currently serves roughly one in six eligible children in the United States. Several chapters operate in Central Virginia, including Goochland County, Powhatan County, and Richmond. Parton's family has said the program will continue as part of her legacy.

Tennessee lawmakers from both parties say they intend to honor Dolly Parton during the legislative session beginning next January, though no formal plan has been agreed upon. House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary and Rep. John Ray Clemmons said leadership will consult Parton's family and friends before advancing any proposal, describing her as a unifying figure even in death.

The legislature has weighed tributes before: a 2021 bill to erect a Parton statue at the Capitol won rare bipartisan backing but was withdrawn after Parton herself asked lawmakers to hold off, citing pandemic-era timing, while suggesting she might welcome the honor "down the road." Individual lawmakers have since floated ideas, including designating September 25 as "9 to 5 Day" and renaming Nashville International Airport after Parton, a proposal from Rep. Todd Warner, who previously pushed to name the airport after President Trump. Leadership says a unified proposal is still being developed.

Parton died at age 80, prompting national tributes, including President Trump's order to lower U.S. flags to half-staff and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's matching proclamation honoring her career and philanthropy, including her Imagination Library literacy program.