Christian Lautenschleger/The LanternColumbus blogger Walker Evans sits at Eddie George’s Grille 27 during the election Tuesday night. Evans was featured on FOX News in a brief live spot.
On a normal night, every television at Eddie George’s Grille 27 in the South Campus Gateway is turned to ESPN as eager crowds noisily cheer on their favorite teams. Last night’s patrons had excitement of a different variety as every television was turned to FOX News and bar patrons watched as election results became available. Little did those at the restaurant know that one of their own was about to be broadcast on the televisions they were watching.

Local blogger and www.columbusunderground.com founder Walker Evans was interviewed on FOX News from Eddie George’s last night in a brief live spot that aired nationwide.

“I’m plugged into what’s going on in the city,” Evans said when asked about the reasons for his appearance on the national news channel.

Evans founded Columbus Underground in 2001 as a forum to promote local disc-jockies and musicians. As Evans’ interests grew to include local politics and news, so did Columbus Underground, creating a forum for local business owners and former and current Columbus residents to discuss current issues, and propelling Evans into a kind of local stardom.

Evans was interviewed by Shelby Holiday, a reporter for www.palestra.net, in a brief live segment that appeared on the FOX News Network as part of FOX Business news. He answered questions on the impact of the financial crisis in Columbus, but the live feed cut out before the interview could be completed.

“We wanted to focus on the financial sector and the bailout,” Holiday said.

The news content of Columbus Underground includes local issues such as payday lending and the casino issue.

“Columbus Underground doesn’t officially endorse anything,” Evans said. “I let people debate it out and make up their own minds.” This philosophy has established Columbus Underground as a vital pulse to the happenings of the city, where opinions from a myriad of local residents are expressed and Evans serves as moderator.

Catrina Otonoga can be reached at [email protected].