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.
CARLINVILLE - Carlinville’s Kaitlyn Reels reached two significant career milestones during the Cavaliers’ 58-26 victory over Bunker Hill in the Carlinville Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Reels scored 21 points in the game, marking her 1,000th career point...
PIASA — The Piasa Birds secured first place at the 2025 Southwestern Christmas Classic boys basketball tournament with an undefeated 3-0 record after decisive victories over Dupo, Valmeyer, and Mt. Olive on December 26 and 27, 2025. The tournament, held over two days, featured...
COLUMBIA - Marquette Catholic High School’s boys basketball team defeated No. 8 state-ranked Benton 56-49 on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in the Columbia-Freeburg Christmas Tournament in Columbia. The victory improved Marquette’s record to 10-4, while Benton fell to 11-2. Marquette...
O’FALLON, Ill. — The O’Fallon Police Department is investigating the death of an adult female found inside a residence on the 1300 block of Bossler Lane. Officers responded to the home at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, and discovered the deceased individual....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating the stabbing death of an 81-year-old woman in the 8500 block of Jenny Drive on Sunday morning, Dec. 28, 2025. Officers from the Central County Precinct responded at 10:53 a.m. Dec. 28, 2025, to a call...
SPRINGFIELD - As the year draws to a close, Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza is highlighting some of the top moments in her office over the past year. “2025 was a year of uncertainty and confusion at the federal level, but here in Illinois, my office continued to work hard to bring stability...
COLLINSVILLE - Javier Cass led Granite City with 12 points, as the Warriors held Lincoln to 14 points in the first half, and one in the second quarter. But several turnovers proved to be costly, especially in the second half, as the Railsplitters outscored the Warriors in the second half 32-23 to...
COLLINSVILLE - Jordan Taylor led four players in double figures with 20 points as Collinsville took control from the opening tip and defeated Belleville Althoff Catholic 63-34 in a first-round game of the 41st Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday boys basketball Classic Saturday evening at Vergil...
O'FALLON, IL. - O’Fallon Police Department welcomed its newest officer, Aden Davis, during a ceremony held recently. Commissioner Ed Martinez administered the Oath of Office to Davis, marking the official start of her law enforcement career. Davis, designated as Officer O-146, will begin training...
ILLINOIS – Direct Source Seafood LLC announced a recall of approximately 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp imported from Indonesia due to possible contamination with cesium-137, a man-made radioactive isotope. The shrimp, sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands, may have been...
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