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.
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...
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Metropolitan Police continued investigating the fatal shooting of William Palmer after officers found him shot in Downtown St. Louis early Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, and prosecutors charged Brittany Rivoire with first-degree murder and other offenses. Officers were called to...
ST. LOUIS - Riyen Jones is seeking support after her fiancé, William Palmer, was killed Feb. 1, 2026, after she said he stopped to help a woman who asked for a ride to a warming shelter. Palmer, a Troy, Mo., man, was found shot early Sunday and was pronounced dead at the scene, the St. Louis...
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro-East Lutheran’s boys basketball team has had a big week. The Knights picked up back-to-back wins this week, defeating Father McGivney Catholic on Tuesday and Southwestern on Wednesday, and will host rival Maryville Christian at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The boys' team members ar...
O'FALLON, Ill. - O’Fallon Police Chief Kirk Brueggeman said he is seeking to clarify information about an officer-involved shooting in August. In a message from Chief Brueggeman, the O’Fallon Police Department said Officer Brett Johnson responded Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, t...
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