By WAYNE PARRY
Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY (AP) - The Miss America Organization is striking back against state pageant groups who revolted against the national leadership in the run-up to this year's competition.

Four states have had their licenses terminated, meaning current leaders must be replaced. They can appeal to a Miss America executive committee.

Others have been threatened with probation, and some have been thanked for supporting national leaders including former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson.

A lawyer for Georgia and West Virginia said those states are among those terminated, and a Pennsylvania official confirms his state was terminated as well.

One other state has also been terminated but its leaders have not publicly confirmed receiving notice.

State officials say their dissatisfaction stemmed not from swimsuit elimination, but by the way Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper run the organization.