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.
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...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School’s cheerleading team was honored before the recent boys basketball game against Belleville West, recognizing their upcoming participation in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Tournament. The Granite City cheer squad is Stillwater...
GRAFTON — Three trips to Normandy, France, were "life-changing" for Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow and his wife, Lynne, and are a part of their beautiful love story. Normandy is a region in France, and its coastline includes legendary cliffs and beachheads, including Omaha Beach, the site of the...
EDWARDSVILLE - Shannon O’Brien, a 28-year-old described by her family as “an extraordinary person,” died last Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in a tragic shooting in Ferguson, Mo., and her former high school cross country coach in Edwardsville said he was shocked and saddened when he learne...
GRAFTON - Steve and Jackie Duty of Grafton say their relationship has endured because it was built on what Jackie Duty described as “a real story, rooted in commitment through the ups, the downs, the tragedies, the rebuilding, the laughter.” The couple met on Feb. 21, 1998, at Riverbend...
ALTON - William and Jeanettea Bowens of Alton say their relationship, which began Feb. 18, 2011, and led to their marriage on Nov. 18, 2018, is rooted in faith and a commitment to support each other through both joy and grief. In information submitted for “Love" stories near Valentine's Day,...
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