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.
ST. LOUIS - A fundraiser organized by Morgan Stewart is seeking financial support for Ashley Gingery, a healthcare worker and mother of four who, according to the fundraiser, is facing mounting medical needs and bills after a work-related injury and an assault by a patient. The fundraiser, titled...
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 recognized a slate of grade-level champions from its District Spelling Bee, praising students for their “dedication, preparation, and courage to take the stage” this week. The district announced the winners in a message...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School junior Grace Capron is taking on a months-long fundraising and advocacy campaign to support Blood Cancer United, a group formerly known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through a student leadership program she joined last April 2025. Capron is participating...
GREENFIELD - Noelia Martinez-Voigt, an art teacher at Greenfield CUSD 10, has been named the 2026 Illinois Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year, according to information released Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Greenfield CUSD 10 announced the honor in a message that congratulated Martinez-Voigt...
HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, that all ferries in the area are open, after earlier ice conditions prompted multiple closures and service changes along the river. In a "ferry update," the sheriff’s office said the Brussels Ferry...
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - On Friday afternoon, Feb. 6, 2026, a woman was taken into custody after authorities said a school employee in Cahokia Heights received repeated telephone threats. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said it was contacted at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, by officials...
BUNKER HILL - The Bunker Hill High School boys Minutemen basketball squad secured at least a share of the MSM Conference championship with their 21st win at Nokomis on Thursday night, Feb. 12, 2026. Bunker Hill is 21-6 overall with an 8-1 mark in the MSM Conference, which includes Macoupin...
ALTON - Chris and Barb Childers of Alton say they start and end each day with the same routine: a kiss and the words “I love you,” a practice they describe as key to staying close in their marriage. The couple, who met Aug. 14, 1979, and married on Oct. 27, 2013, were high school sweethearts...
EDWARDSVILLE - Guard Mia Semith led Edwardsville with 19 points in a sensational performance on Senior Night as the Tigers jumped out to an early lead and took a 56-33 win over Granite City in the regular season finale for both teams Thursday night, Feb. 12, 2026, at Lucco-Jackson Gym. In the annual...
BUNKER HILL - Cole Yates set a new Bunker Hill boys basketball scoring record Monday night, Feb. 9, 2026, pouring in 30 points as the Minutemen beat Lebanon 75-19 at home on Senior Night. Yates finished the game with 1,587 career points, breaking the previous school record held by Dan Bishop...
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