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.
SULLIVAN, Mo. — A helicopter carrying four people crashed into powerlines and plunged into the Meramec River near Meramec State Park Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29, 2026, officials said. The crash occurred around 1 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2026, while a group of state park team members and the pilot were...
ALTON - Alton Steel Inc. announced earlier this week it will cease operations after this week, ending 25 years of business in Alton. The closure affects 253 employees, as well as contractors and vendors connected to the company. To assist those affected, a Rapid Response Workshop will be held from...
BELLEVILLE — Belleville Township High School District 201 officials addressed concerns Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, about reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence at district schools this week, following social media posts linked to a naturalization ceremony scheduled for...
BELLEVILLE — Sgt. Jacquelyn Laminack of the Belleville Police Department received the Life Saving Award at the 33rd Annual SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet last week for her prompt response to a medical emergency in July 2025. Sgt. Laminack was dispatched to assist a 10-year-old juvenile...
HARDIN - Led by a 17-point outing by Lane Eilerman, the Calhoun Warriors blasted Payson 70-41 in a boys basketball home game on Wednesday night, Jan. 28, 2026. The win was the 15th for the Warriors, who have only three losses in the 2025-2026 season. Calhoun outscored Payson 21-14 in the first quarter,...
WHITE HALL - Southwestern’s boys basketball team edged North Greene 55-49 in a close encounter on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at White Hall. Trenton Brackett paced the Piasa Birds with 12 points, Connor Wood and Cason Robinson had 11 points, Carter Watson added 10 points, and Carter Bacon had...
JERSEY - Jersey wrestler Nick Hartley accomplished something few wrestlers ever reach this week at East Alton-Wood River High School when he captured his 100th victory on the mats on Wednesday night, Jan. 28, 2026. Hartley is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for Jersey. Jersey Community...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A 67-year-old man from Troy has been federally charged for allegedly threatening to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. Jeffrey A. Mullinix faces one count of interstate communication with a threat to injure, according to a federal complaint....
SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Jil Tracy, along with State Representatives C.D. Davidsmeyer and Kyle Moore, are inviting community members to help spread Valentine’s Day cheer by participating in their annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive , now underway through February 2, 2026. “Each...
ALTON — Louise Moehn, of Alton, a pioneering gymnastics and dance educator and longtime nurse, died on Jan. 26, 2026, at age 85. Moehn was an owner and operator of Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance Academy from its founding in 1968 until her retirement, helping to establish the institution as...
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