Swimsuit-less Miss America competition begins Wednesday

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - With a revolt underway by state pageant officials - and without swimsuits - the Miss America competition begins Wednesday night amid the most turmoil the iconic event has seen in decades.

The first of three nights of preliminary competition begins with a big change: In past years, one talent and one swimsuit winner were named in each of the three preliminary nights.

This year, instead of a swimsuit winner, the winner of an onstage interview will be named.

The format is similar to what will happen during Sunday night's nationally televised broadcast on ABC.

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Scholarships totaling nearly $506,000 will be awarded.

Most state organizations want new leadership for the Miss America Organization, and the outgoing Miss America, Cara Mund, says she was bullied by pageant leaders.

They deny the charges.