Livewire PHOTO: White House Flag At Half-Staff by David Taintor 04.16.13 | 7:53 am 1 President Obama on Tuesday ordered U.S. flags at public buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff until April 20. Above is a flag at the White House, flown at half-staff. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) Send Tips David Taintor is a New York-based senior editor who oversees breaking news coverage. He previously worked at NBC News.