Suspicious packages briefly close Capitol area

Suspicious packages were discovered at the Capitol
Two suspicious packages were discovered in stairwell at the Minnesota State Capitol on Monday. They were found to contain nothing hazardous.
Peter Cox | MPR News

Updated: 5 p.m. | Posted: 4:15 p.m.

The discovery of two suspicious packages shut down an area near the State Capitol in St. Paul on Monday until officials determined that the packages contained nothing hazardous.

The State Capitol is closed to the public for renovations.

The St. Paul Fire Department examined and tested the packages. One contained brick mortar and the other contained paper products, officials said.

A construction worker reported the packages to Capitol security at 2:30 Monday afternoon. The area was locked down and workers were removed. The lockdown was lifted before 5 p.m., and streets were being reopened.

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