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.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were seriously injured and two men died following a crash on the flyover ramp from southbound Interstate 170 to eastbound Interstate 64 on January 23, 2026, authorities said. The incident occurred just before 2:30...
PLEASANT HILL — At 6:07 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2026, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a juvenile allegedly in possession of a firearm during a school sporting event at Pleasant Hill School. School administrators and staff monitored the juvenile until...
EAST ALTON — A lumber delivery truck crashed into a vacant building at the corner of West Main in East Alton on Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2026, after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, authorities said. The incident occurred at approximately 1:31 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2026, when the driver,...
In accordance with ISP’s commitment to integrity and public transparency, the video of the event is being made available to the public and can be found HERE . EAST ST. LOUIS — The Illinois State Police released video footage Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, of an officer-involved shooting...
MARYVILLE, IL. — The future looks very bright for Maryville Christian School boys' basketball. The seventh-grade boys' basketball team recently completed an undefeated 20-0 season. The team’s flawless record reflects a season that Maryville School officials said was marked by...
MARYVILLE, IL. — The Maryville Christian School eighth-grade girls basketball team is set to compete in the SIJHSAA Class M State quarterfinals at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, against the Smithton Cougars. The team’s advancement to the state tournament marks a significant achievement...
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville boys swim meet scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center at Edwardsville High School has been canceled, Edwardsville swim coach Christian Rhotten announced on Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2026. Rhotten said the decision came after...
BRUSSELS and KAMPSVILLE — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the closure of the Brussels and Kampsville ferries on the Illinois River on Friday afternoon due to hazardous ice floes, effective on January 23, 2026. The Kampsville Ferry closed at noon on Friday , while the Brussels...
KAMPSVILLE/GOLDEN EAGLE - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office announced that the Kampsville Ferry will be closed starting Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, due to heavy ice conditions. Officials said the closure will last until further notice, and travelers are advised to plan alternative routes. Additionally,...
At the Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association Awards Banquet on Thursday night, Jan. 22, 2026, seven telecommunicators from five different public safety answering points were honored for their exceptional service during various incidents within their jurisdictions. The awards recognized...
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