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.
ALTON - Caiden Jockisch, a junior at Marquette Catholic High School, recently achieved a significant milestone in his hockey career by recording his 1,000th varsity save during Alton's hockey team's recent game. The achievement highlights Jockisch’s dedication and skill as a goaltender for...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School senior Corbin Barnard is set to compete in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Bowling Finals starting on Jan. 30, 2026, in O’Fallon. Barnard earned his spot by finishing fifth with a score of 1,361 at the Minooka Sectional competition,...
ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School dance team has qualified for the state competition scheduled this week in Bloomington. The dance team, coached by Megan Stevenson, earned the opportunity to compete in the state finals after a successful season. The dancers representing Marquette Catholic...
EDWARDSVILLE - The region has an abundance of girls wrestling talent and it was on display this past Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in the 618 Meet at EHS Wrestling Center. Collinsville took five first places, along with two seconds and a third, outwrestled the field in winning the 618 girls wrestling...
HIGHLAND - Noemi Abbati, an exchange student from Italy currently attending Highland High School, is making a notable impact on the student body this semester. According to Todd Strong, a social studies teacher at the school, Abbati’s openness in sharing her culture and perspectives is helpin...
EDWARDSVILLE — Austin L. Mullins, 22, of Alton pleaded guilty Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, to first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Jacob “Jake” Wall, 23, of Wood River, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. The shooting occurred on July 24, 2023, during a...
NEW BADEN, Ill. — A search and recovery operation was launched Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, afternoon after a man fell through the ice of a pond near Clinton County Line Road and Renth Road and did not resurface. The New Baden Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Monda...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Terrell Jackson, 22, of Florissant, Mo., has been charged with second-degree murder and other felonies following a head-on crash that killed two passengers and injured two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers, authorities said Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026....
HARDIN - Calhoun defeated Rushville 58-35 in a basketball game on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, extending its record to 14-3 for the season. The game featured strong performances from Calhoun’s Jack Zipprich, who scored 22 points, including three three-pointers, and Gage Kiel, who added 12 points, an...
ALTON — Rosie Brown, an Alton alderwoman and candidate for Illinois State Representative in District 111, expressed some strong opinions on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, after Alton Steel, Inc., announced on Jan. 26, 2026, that it will cease operations this week. This will end nearly 25 years of...
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