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.
WOOD RIVER — Southwestern used a dominant second and third quarters to pull away from East Alton-Wood River in a 47-10 boys basketball victory Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. The Piasa Birds took control early and then broke the game open by outscoring the Oilers 18-0 in the second quarter to build...
CARLINVILLE - Carlinville High School recognized five student-athletes during a signing day ceremony, honoring their commitments to continue competing in college sports. The signing day ceremony was held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at the school. The event took place at Carlinville High School, wher...
HARDIN - Calhoun stayed unbeaten in conference play Tuesday night, Feb. 3, 2026, using balanced scoring and five 3-pointers to beat Triopia 60-45. The win on Feb. 3 lifted Calhoun to 19-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Calhoun led 11-8 after the first quarter and extended the margin to...
ALTON - The Alton High School music department announced with pride that several of its student musicians participated in the 2026 Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) All-State Festival, on Jan. 29-31, 2026, in Peoria. Alton High School Orchestra Director Laura Plummer said, “We are...
ST. LOUIS - Among the finalists at the recent Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation's St. Louis Teen Talent competition were instrumentalists Henry and Kaitlyn Foppe. Henry Foppe, a junior at John Paul II Preparatory School, and Kaitlyn Foppe, a senior at Father McGivney High School, competed...
EDWARDSVILLE — An overtime finish, energetic cheerleaders, and a Unified basketball exhibition at halftime helped make the Edwardsville-Staunton High boys basketball game a memorable night for Edwardsville High School fans. Edwardsville High School defeated Staunton 48-43 in overtime i...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville and Staunton boys basketball fans received an added attraction at halftime on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, cheering on members of the Edwardsville Unified Basketball squad during an exhibition. Fans and students remained in their seats at halftime and cheered on the EHS Unified...
EDWARDSVILLE — With the postseason days away, Staunton’s Bulldogs are heading toward the Class 2A playoffs at 20-3, and coach Ty Laux says the focus is on closing games better as the regular season winds down. “We’ve just got to learn to finish a little better,” Laux...
BELLEVILLE — Marquette Catholic’s boys basketball team erased a 15-0 deficit and pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Althoff Catholic 56-44 on Tuesday night, Feb. 3, 2026, in Belleville. Althoff opened with a 15-0 run and led 20-8 after the first quarter and 26-20 at halftime. The...
ST. LOUIS — A church official from Illinois accused of producing child pornography was arrested Wednesday and appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, according to court documents. Michael William Mohr, 54, of Springfield, was charged by complaint in St. Louis with one count of producing...
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