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.
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville had 12 different players score, led by 16 points from Mia Semith, as the Tigers scored the game’s first 40 points, shutting out East St. Louis in both the first and third quarters in a 73-22 win over the Flyers Friday night at Lucco-Jackson Gym. It was also...
EDWARDSVILLE - Jamison White guided East St. Louis with a game-high 23 points, including multiple slam dunks in a 60-45 win over Edwardsville on Friday night, Jan. 16, 2026, at Edwardsville in front of a capacity crowd. Alex Johnson had 19 points for East St. Louis and Phillip Jones came up with...
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville's boys kept within 15 points of Southwestern Conference in a 60-45 loss to powerhouse East St. Louis on Friday night, Jan. 16, 2025, at EHS. It was Hall of Fame night at the gamerid, with the 2026 Class being introduced in pregame ceremonies, and East Side roared...
ALTON — A two-vehicle crash occurred at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at the intersection of 20th Street and Piasa Street in Alton, according to Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford. One adult male was taken to Alton Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Chief Ford said Friday...
ALTON - Noah Menke has been an exceptional student-athlete in his four years at Marquette Catholic High School. His community involvement has also been exceptional. The senior boasts a 4.67 GPA, has earned 24 college dual-credit hours, and completed 145 hours of community service. In addition to...
RIVERVIEW, MO. - The mayor of Riverview, Mo., was the person charged Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 , with multiple sex crimes by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving minors that occurred between 2016 and 2026. The St. Louis County...
WEST ALTON, MO. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted a controlled burn on approximately 80 acres near the end of Riverlands Way, producing smoke visible for miles. The prescribed fire aimed to reduce hazardous fuel loads and improve ecosystem health in the area. Photos by 618 Drone Service...
BELLEVILLE — Kalyn Reid, a senior at Belleville East High School and treasurer of the school's Literary Lancers, was recently featured in the National English Honor Society’s international publication, the NEHS Museletter. Reid's essay, titled “Immortal Words: Bram...
MARYVILLE - Maryville Christian's boys defeated Father McGivney Catholic 56-49 in a closely contested Greater Metro Conference game on Tuesday night, Jan. 13, 2026, at Maryville’s gym. The home team Lions, pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Griffins 21-8 to secure the victory....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Michael Cornell Jr., 39, of the 9500 block of West Avenue in St. Louis, with multiple offenses including four counts of statutory sodomy in the second degree, three counts o...
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