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.
GLEN CARBON — Bishop Thomas Paprocki officially blessed McGivney Commons, a new gathering space at Father McGivney Catholic High School, during a recent ceremony marking the completion of the $3 million project. Located on the school’s campus, McGivney Commons is designed to serve...
ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting and house fire in north St. Louis that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her daughter. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police and St. Louis Fire Departments responded to a house fire at about 12:10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in th...
ALTON — Officers Hayley Porter and Janelle Rose graduated Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, from the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, the Alton Police Department announced Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. The two officers completed the Police Academy program and will now begin their Field Trainin...
ALTON - Alton High School has a budding young journalist for the future in Leigha Cole. Cole has also been heavily involved in community service roles in her high school life. A highlight of Cole’s high school experience has been serving as Editor-In-Chief of The Redbird Word, the student-led...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a nationwide enforcement effort conducted from Dec. 3 to Dec. 17, 2025, aimed at identifying, tracking, and arresting child sex predators. One charged in Operation Relentless Justice was a Granite...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis County police are investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday night, Dec. 20, 2025, in the 6600 block of South Lindbergh Boulevard, resulting in the death of a 47-year-old man. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Affton Southwest Precinct responded...
GRANITE CITY - Pizza World in Granite City presented a check for $17,955.17 to Police Officer Tyler Timmons last week as part of a fundraiser supporting the officer. The funds were raised through the restaurant’s Dine to Donate program, which drew significant community participation....
GRANITE CITY — Telecommunicator Jason Sitzes, a dispatcher with the Granite City Police Department, has died after battling cancer, the department announced Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. Sitzes served in various roles within the emergency medical services and fire communities before dedicating...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit detectives are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred early Sunday morning, Dec. 21, 2025, in the 6800 block of Parker Road. The deceased has been identified as Shardai Spates, 34, of the address of the fire. St. Louis...
ALTON — Alton Firefighters Local 1255 will hold its Ninth Annual Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Crisis Food Center, located at 21 E. 6th Street in Alton. The event will feature a drive-up only distribution, with vehicles lining up on Market Street between...
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