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.
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Investigators with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis found the body of a woman during the execution of a search warrant connected to a shooting incident in the 3900 block of Walnut Street on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, authorities said. The woman, identified as 44-year-old...
ALTON — Heather Brown, a woman in her mid-40s, is reported missing, prompting concern from her family and friends. She was last seen wearing jeans, grey shoes, a tan sweater, a zipper grey vest, and a black jacket, carrying a pink backpack. Heather is in her mid-40s with brown hair when...
EDWARDSVILLE - The 73-44 win over Edwardsville on Friday night at Edwardsville was a big victory for Alton's boys basketball squad and Head Coach Dylan Dudley. Dudley was very excited about the Southwestern Conference triumph over the always tough Tigers. "It was a good start for our kids," said...
EDWARDSVILLE - Ryan Howard led Alton with 25 points, while Semaj Stampley added 19 points as Alton hit nine threes in the first half, and went on an 11-2 run to start the game, going on to a 73-44 win over Edwardsville in a key early-season Southwestern Conference game Friday night, Dec. 12, 2025...
GRANITE CITY — Officer Tyler Timmons of the Granite City Police Department has been released from the hospital and is recovering well following a shooting on Dec. 5, 2025, Granite City Chief of Police Gary Brooks said on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Officer Timmons returned home Friday night with...
ALTON - The Alton High School girls' bowling teams continued their strong season this week with multiple matches and upcoming tournament play. On Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, the Alton High School (AHS) junior varsity and varsity teams both secured victories against Edwardsville at Edison’s Lanes i...
CARROLLTON - The St. John the Evangelist School Seventh Grade Lady Redbirds secured fourth place in the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) 7-1A State Basketball tournament, concluding their season with a 16-8 overall record. The Redbirds competed against several teams across the stat...
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - St. Charles County Ambulance District Lieutenant Sarah McCarthy, a 23-year veteran of emergency medical services, died Dec. 9, 2025, following complications from a medical emergency while on duty at Station 12 in St. Peters. McCarthy, 48, first experienced chest pain on Nov...
HARDIN - Calhoun-Brussels and Carrollton girls basketball teams continued their strong starts to the 2025-2026 season with victories on Thursday night. Calhoun-Brussels defeated Pittsfield/Griggsville-Perry 45-30 at home on Dec. 11, 2025. The Lady Warriors trailed after the first quarter but tightened...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Tyonna Woodhouse, a Homeless, Attendance and Truancy Officer at James Avant Elementary in East St. Louis School District 189, has been nominated by the Illinois State Board of Education as one of two Illinois nominees for the national 2026 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees...
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