Dan Brannan is Content Director of RiverBender and EdGlenToday.com. Dan started at Riverbender.com/Edglentoday.com in December 2014. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. Having previously served as the Executive Editor of The Telegraph in Alton, his 17-year tenure led the paper to over 350 awards including several General Excellence awards in the Illinois Press Association, Illinois Associated Press, Freedom Communications, Southern Illinois Editorial Association and Journal Register Company contests. Brannan was chosen to lead Freedom Communications' national pilot on social media.
He is the author of eight nonfiction books including: "The Courage to Live," a biography about Donna Gustavel, a young woman with multiple disabilities; "Everyday Angels," an inspirational book of moving human interest stories; "Live Life to the Fullest: Stories of People Coping With Diabetes" which is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association; "Boy Giant: The Story of Robert Wadlow The World's Tallest Man;" "Damn Cold and Starving" written with Sgt. Marion Ray; "You Can't Kill the Dream" co-written with fellow journalist Ande Yakstis; and "A Life in Parts," the story of Loretta Goebel and endorsed by Beatle Paul McCartney.
Dan, an avid exercise enthusiast, is a member of the American Diabetes Association and lives in Maryville. Dan has two children in college - Savannah and Sierra.
EAST ST. LOUIS - The Illinois State Board of Education has named Lashaunda Ross, a counselor at Annette Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189, as a recipient of the Award of Excellence in the Those Who Excel 2026 program, the district announced. The Award of Excellence...
ALTON - Alton resident Greg Snyder, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime community volunteer, is seeking financial help through a GoFundMe organized by Jacinda Dunlap to cover mounting medical expenses and major vehicle repairs needed for transportation to the John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis. T...
EDWARDSVILLE - Illinois State Police investigators are reviewing a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police pursuit that ended with a driver’s death after a crash into a business building late Sunday night, Feb. 15, 2026, in Edwardsville. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville...
ALTON - Heaven Everage, a senior at Alton High School, has been named one of two Alton–Godfrey Rotary Club’s February Students of the Month, an honor recognizing her academic work, leadership, and community service in the Alton area. Everage and Jessica Eales, a Marquette Catholic senior,...
ALTON — Marquette Catholic High School senior Jessica Eales was recognized as an Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club February Student of the Month during a recent event at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant, honored for her academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements. Eales was one o...
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 announced that Meonshai Houston, a teacher at Annette Officer Elementary School, received the Illinois State Board of Education’s Award of Special Recognition as part of the Those Who Excel 2026 honors. The award “celebrates...
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 announced that Cali Breden has earned a spot on the 2026 Illinois Athletic Directors Association All-State Team, an honor that recognizes senior student-athletes for athletics, academics, leadership, and community service. Breden...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Myisha Ross, a special education teacher at Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189, has received the Illinois State Board of Education’s Award of Special Recognition as part of the Those Who Excel 2026 honors, the district...
JERSEYVILLE — A sixth-grade teacher in Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 has been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education for her work in the classroom. The Jersey District said Christy Schilling received the Award of Meritorious Service in the Classroom...
HARDIN - Lane Eilerman exploded for 26 points, and Jack Zipprich added 12 points in a 69-53 boys basketball triumph over Carrollton at Calhoun on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Charlie Stumpf had 15 points for Carrollton, and Carter Randolph and Andrew Price each had 11 points. Jacob Brannan had 9 points...
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