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 – Alton Steel Inc. announced on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, "with deep sadness" that it will cease operations effective this week. After nearly 25 years of steel production in Alton, the company faces insurmountable challenges, including aging infrastructure, intense market competition,...
ALTON - Marshall Pfahler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, reported frigid temperatures across the region on Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2026. Alton recorded the lowest temperature at minus 6 degrees, with other areas experiencing similar cold conditions. According to...
CENTERVILLE - Centreville, Illinois, recorded the highest total from weather watchers this past weekend at 10.5 inches, according to Marshall Pfahler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Centreville is a community in St. Clair County. Nearby communities in Illinois also saw substantial...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - St. Clair County emergency and road crews are actively responding to winter weather conditions by keeping residents informed and working to maintain safe roadways. The St. Clair County Emergency Management agency has been providing timely updates about weather developments. Meanwhile...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An adult male died in a house fire Friday night, Jan. 23, 2026, in the 3600 block of Paule Avenue, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 10:20 p.m. on Jan. 23 to assist another agency with the fire. Upon arrival, they found...
ALTON/BELLEVILLE - Illinois Department of Transportation personnel have been actively managing snow and icy conditions on state roadways for more than 50 hours as of Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2026, according to Joe Monroe, IDOT operations engineer. In an interview around 10 a.m. on Monday, Monroe...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An adult male died in a house fire Friday night, Jan. 23, 2026, in the 3600 block of Paule Avenue, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 10:20 p.m. on Jan. 23 to assist another agency with the fire. Upon arrival, they found...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville School District #7 announced on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, that Monday, Jan. 26, will be an E-Learning day due to current weather conditions, prioritizing the safety of students and staff. All district buildings and offices will be closed, but students wil...
Illinois Department of Transportation crews worked early Sunday, Jan. 26, 2026, to clear state highways across the region amid challenging winter conditions, officials said. Joe Monroe, an operations engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, reported around 9 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2026,...
ROXANA — At approximately 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, a piece of operating equipment at the Wood River Refinery, located at 900 South Central Avenue in Roxana, Illinois, tripped, prompting a safety response, refinery officials said. In accordance with safety protocols,...
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