*By Christian Smith*
Mallory Hagan, crowned Miss America in 2013, wanted to change the stereotypes Americans have about Alabama.
So she decided to run for Congress.
"We are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to healthcare, when it comes to government transparency, when it comes to education, quality of life. But we are at the top when it comes to corruption," Hagan said in an interview on Cheddar Monday. "So many people have a really awful view of our state, and it's a really beautiful place."
Hagan won the Democratic nomination for Alabama's third congressional district in the June 5 primary. She will take on the 16-year incumbent, Republican Congressman Mike Rogers, in the general election on November 5.
Rogers won his last campaign in 2016 by 34 points over the Democratic challenger Jesse Smith. But despite the district's conservative voting record, Hagan believes she can make inroads by galvanizing local college students who don't normally vote.
"My plan is to engage young people in this process, get them involved in this campaign and show them that their vote and their voice does in fact matter, and that their involvement in politics is crucial to the future of our nation," Hagan said.
At the heart of her campaign is the goal of fixing Alabama's healthcare system. The state has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. In 2016, nine out of every 1,000 newborns died before reaching their first birthday, which is a higher rate than many developing nations.
Hagan's critics question whether her experience as Miss America has any relevance in politics. In the 29-year-old's eyes, winning the title and working with charitable causes around the country was the perfect prep for serving in Congress.
"I've represented our nation before, and I'm ready to represent the people of Alabama," Hagan said.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/miss-america-takes-on-new-challenge-congress).
Senator Jon Tester of Montana joined Cheddar to discuss movement on a new stimulus deal in Congress after talks paused in August. Tester also discusses how Joe Biden can win back rural voters this November.
An Associated Press review found growing allegations that a gynecologist performed surgeries and other procedures that detained migrant women never sought or didn’t fully understand.
Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Washington, said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction sought by 14 states that sued the Trump administration and the U.S. Postal Service.
College towns across the U.S. have emerged as virus hot spots in recent weeks as schools struggle to contain the virus.
As the U.S. treks into the 7th month of the coronavirus pandemic, trust in government agencies and top medical officials is dropping among Republican voters. Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, joined Cheddar to discuss how people can navigate advice from medical professionals as some guidances are deemed political.
The Federal Reserve adjusted its inflation target to seek price increases above 2% annually, a move that will likely keep interest rates low for years to come.
The federal government is outlining a sweeping plan to make COVID-19 vaccines available for free to all Americans.
This week Jon Stewart helped bring forth new legislation aimed at providing financial relief for burn pit victims. Stewart said the battle with congress is just a continued fight in getting first responders aid in the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Cheddar's JD Durkin reports.
Less than five weeks after the conference announced it would push football and other fall sports to spring because of the pandemic, the conference changed course.
President Donald Trump is presiding over the signing of historic diplomatic deals between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain that could herald a dramatic shift in Middle East power dynamics.
