Letters prompt 7 anthrax scares across Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, AL The FBI said Monday that five letters were sent to the offices of senators or congressmen. One was sent to U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner's office in Mobile, and another to his office in Foley. Letters were also sent to the offices of U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright of Montgomery, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.

The federal courthouses in Anniston and Birmingham also were closed following the discovery of powder in envelopes or letters there.

Tests have shown the powder wasn't anthrax, though officials haven't said what it was.

An FBI spokeswoman in Mobile, Angela Tobon, says the letters delivered to offices in Montgomery, Mobile and Foley are believed to have come from the same source.