Branson in national spotlight

A Fox News Channel videographer transmits a conversation between several Branson community and business leaders at the Branson Cafe Tuesday during a nationally televised live remote. BDN photo by Kia Stacy

By Kia Stacy
BDN Staff Writer
kstacy@bransondailynews.com

Fox News Channel recently kicked off a 15-day tour of the States to travel across the country to find out what everyday people think of political issues, and Branson was one of the stops on the trail.

Fox News National Correspondent Phil Keating, who is a 1990 Mizzou grad, and his crew started off in Washington, D.C., then headed to Pittsburgh, Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Mich., Chicago and Peoria, Ill., St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Independence, Bolivar, and Clinton, before rolling into the Legends In Concert parking lot Monday night.

Keating said they still had seven more days and 45 stops to go before concluding the tour at the Santa Monica Pier in California.

While at Legends, Keating briefly spoke with Elvis and Marilyn Monroe portrayers Dean Z. and Stacey Whitton Summers about what political issues mattered to them. When asked what many people have responded to his questions thus far, Keating said people talk about the "obvious topics — healthcare, the war, the economy, national security. A lot of people just want the campaign to be over."

The Fox News crew seemed to have enjoyed the first leg of their tour, saying their stay in Branson was great.

Keating said he was really looking forward to Las Vegas and Los Angeles since he and the crew have had to endure snow, ice and freezing temperatures.

Keating also said "one really cool thing" that he's seen so far was the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh where he was able to do the first ever live broadcast while going down the tram.

The Incline is the oldest and steepest incline in the U.S., and it’s the oldest cable car in operation.

Tuesday morning, the Fox News crew met with Branson Mayor Reanne Presley and several local business and community leaders at the Branson Cafe for another short discussion.

"We're happy to have Fox News here," Presley said. "Anytime we can talk about Branson it is a good thing."

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