the report said ATC cleared them for a visual and landing on runway 14 at branson.
and that can be taken to mean apch control/ center cleared them for a visual and tower cleared them to land.
both are atc. one person indicated branson was a NFCT. They still exercise ATC function.
go to airnav.com for branson and graham airports and both have pilot controlled lighting on ctaf freq.
I mentioned this before and I offer it again. IF you have an airport in sight in the night sea of lights or dark and there is a tower, ask them to change the lights to full bright for a moment to confirm you are looking at the correct airport.
try it, you'll like it. once on final you can have them restore the low setting often favored for landing.