Anthrax Scare Shuts Down Two Federal Courthouses in Alabama

Authorities shut down federal courthouses in two Alabama cities on Monday because of threatening letters containing a white powder.

At least one letter contained an artificial sweetener; none tested positive for anthrax, the Birmingham News reports.

A total of nine letters were sent to federal and legislative offices in five Alabama cities, including the Robert S. Vance Federal Building in downtown Birmingham and the federal courthouse in Anniston. Both courthouses were shut down, the story says.

Letters were also sent the offices of U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers and Jo Bonner, and U.S. Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby, the Associated Press reports. All four are Republicans.