Preliminary tests show white powder sent to Kansas officials doesn't contain 'biologicals'

State authorities have preliminarily determined that a suspicious white powder contained on at least some of the letters mailed to over 100 Kansas legislators and Attorney General Kris Kobach doesn't contain "biologicals," according to an email sent to lawmakers Saturday night.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced Friday afternoon that it was working with the FBI and a host of state agencies to investigate the letters, hours after legislative staff warned lawmakers about the suspicious mail.

In a message to members of his caucus, Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said Saturday night that he had been informed by KBI director Tony Mattivi that Kansas Department of Health and Environment testing had found the powder to be "presumptively negative for any biologicals."

in a news release Sunday night, the agency said that "a small sample" of letters had been tested.

"Further and more complete testing will be conducted on this sample, as well as on additional letters that have been collected, in an effort to determine the components of the substance," the release said.

The KBI said that more than 100 letters had been confirmed, with scores of GOP legislators confirming on social media that they had received the missives. At least one lawmaker, Rep. Robyn Essex, of Olathe, said she had been told by authorities that the letters were not an immediate threat.

A motive for the letters is unclear.

In a statement Monday, top House and Senate Republican lawmakers said the early test results were "good news" they said it "has nonetheless been a stressful last few days for our families andother citizens impacted by this cowardly attempt to intimidate the legislature."

"While we don’t yet know who is behind this threat, our members will not be intimidated by extremists who look to undermine the will of the people we were elected to serve," the statement said. "We appreciate all of the prayers and support we’vereceived from our Kansas communities and will continue to stand strong together to move forward."

Rep. Fred Patton, R-Topeka, said he returned home Friday evening and discovered a letter that matched the description from the KBI. He notified the agency and said he took caution and washed his hands repeatedly after handling the document.

Patton said his letter had a return address for a church in Topeka and used the name Jahaira Balenciaga, a transgender woman and activist who was murdered in her Massachusetts home in 2021.

Photos of other letters received by legislators included different names and generally a return address at a nearby church.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas lawmakers sent suspicious white powder told isn't biologicals