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.
EDWARDSVILLE - Maryville Christian School’s varsity boys basketball team edged Metro East Lutheran 62-60 at Metro East Lutheran High on Friday night, Feb. 6, 2026, improving to 14-9 overall. Maryville Christian sophomore Nolan Hite had a sensational game and led Maryville Christian with...
VENICE, IL. - Venice, Illinois, ranks as the most affordable city in the nation to buy a home in MoneyLion’s 2026 analysis of the cheapest places to purchase a home in every state, according to a new research study released by the financial services company. MoneyLion said it analyzed data...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police announced that Officer Connor Maedge has been named Officer of the Year, citing his activity and arrests during 2025 in Fairview Heights. “Congratulations to Fairview Heights Officer Connor Maedge on being named Officer of the Year,” the...
SHIOLH - Shiloh Police said Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, that a 32-year-old Jiu-Jitsu instructor has been charged with multiple felonies after investigators looked into an “inappropriate sexual relationship” involving a teenage female student and possible incidents at the suspect’s...
PIASA - Adelyn Williamson’s role at the net helped Southwestern put together a 16-win season in girls volleyball in 2025, and her coach expects an even bigger impact ahead. She is an Altonized Community Federal Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Williamson, a junior middle...
EDWARDSVILLE - Early voting is underway in Madison County ahead of the March 17, 2026, general primary election, giving voters the option to cast ballots before Election Day at designated sites across the county. Madison County Clerk Lynda Andreas said early voting is intended to make the process...
EDWARDSVILLE – O’Fallon’s talented senior guard, Josie Chirstopher, led the way with 24 points, including 18 in the first half, and 10 straight in the first quarter, as she helped the Panthers to a hard-fought 53-42 win over Edwardsville in a Southwestern Conference girls basketball...
EDWARDSVILLE – Josie Christopher's 18-point outburst in the first half set the tone for the game against Edwardsville's girls on Thursday night, Feb. 5, 2026. O'Fallon defeated Edwardsville 53-42 in the Southwestern Conference contest at Lucco-Jackson gym. Christopher completed the game with...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Metro-East Lutheran High School boys bowling team closed its season with a string of standout performances, highlighted by career-best scores from multiple players. The Knights' boys squad was named BJ Printables Male Athletes of the Month. The Metro East Lutheran...
CALHOUN COUNTY - A $50 million federal investment is reshaping wetlands and recreation access along the rugged western side of Calhoun County, Illinois, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ St. Louis District is overseeing a multi-phase restoration effort around Red’s Landing and Gilead...
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