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.
ALTON — The Alton Fire Department encountered a very tragic situation early Monday morning, Dec. 1, 2025, when they discovered a man and a dog who had died in a fire. The blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. Dec. 1 in the 900 block of Rixon in Alton. Firefighters arrived to find a single-story hom...
FOSTERBURG - Fosterburg Fire Protection District Chief Don Palmer reported a sledding accident involving a 14-year-old girl in a rural Straube Lane area on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 30, 2025. Palmer said emergency responders were dispatched at 2:27 p.m. on Sunday to the Fosterburg scene. The girl...
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — A Maryland Heights police officer fatally shot a man who fired a gun at officers Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, evening at a Walgreens on Dorsett Road, St. Louis County Police authorities said early Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2025,...
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis region experienced its first significant snowfall of the fall season on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Snow fell steadily throughout much of Saturday morning, impacting communities across the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Notable snowfall totals included 8 inches...
ALTON — The Alton 3rd Chute, located at 2204 Fosterburg Road, announced on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, on social media that it would be closing "starting today," expressing gratitude to customers and employees for their support over the years. The message acknowledged the difficulty of the decision...
EDWARDSVILLE — Snowfall began early Saturday morning, Nov. 29, 2025, in the Edwardsville area, resulting in nearly six inches of accumulation by 8 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, which emerged as the leader in the Metro East. Shown above are images of the depth and drifting...
ST. LOUIS — The National Weather Service in St. Louis reported significant snowfall across the region early Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, with accumulations reaching up to close to 6 inches in some areas, leading to hazardous travel conditions. The National Weather Service in St. Louis said snow...
BELLEVILLE — Three students from Alton High School delivered a standout performance at the District 6 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) Festival held Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Belleville West High School. Quinn Halliday on trumpet, Morgan Alexander on horn, and Wesley LeBrun...
MADISON COUNTY — Alice Pierce, 28, has been charged with four counts of child pornography, a Class X felony, following an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrimes Division. The investigation began Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, after the division received multiple...
Winter weather arrived in Illinois early on Saturday, November 29, 2025, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions across the region, according to the Illinois State Police and the National Weather Service. The snowfall began Saturday morning, with a few inches already on the ground by 7:30 a.m...
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