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 — Two women and a man were bitten by a pit bull Thursday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2025, at a residence on Hale Drive in Alton, prompting a multi-agency emergency response. The Alton Fire Department received the alarm at 12:36 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, for two subjects bitten by a...
ROXANA — The Roxana School Board announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that Dr. Courtney Castelli will become the district’s new superintendent beginning in 2026, succeeding Debra Kreutztrager, who is retiring at the end of the current school year. The board voted 3-2 in favor of Castelli’s...
ST. LOUIS — Firefighters are battling a large fire that broke out early Friday morning, Nov. 28, 2025, in a cluster of warehouses just south of downtown St. Louis, consuming multiple structures and prompting a significant multi-agency response. The blaze was first reported around 3 a.m. at th...
EDWARDSVILLE - Kennedy Gieseking had a big game for Edwardsville with 22 points, but Marlee Loepker scored on a second-chance basket with 1.5 seconds left in regulation to give Breese Mater Dei Catholic a 44-43 win over the Tigers in Edwardsville's home opener Wednesday evening, Nov. 26, 2025, at...
MORTON - Alton’s girls basketball team will play two games on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, and is scheduled to play another game on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in the Morton Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament, Redbirds' Athletic Director Chris Kusnerick said on Wednesday. On Friday, Nov. 28, 2025,...
ALTON — The Great River Road Run, sponsored by the Alton Road Runners, has been canceled due to anticipated severe weather conditions, Race Director Russ Colona announced Wednesday afternoon. The run features 10-mile and 5K races. The race, originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, wil...
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department has completed clearing Althoff Catholic High School following a burglary reported earlier in the week, authorities said Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Althoff Catholic School was closed on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2025, and students, faculty, and other workers...
JERSEY — Jersey Community High School’s girls basketball team recorded a commanding 56-16 victory over Maryville Christian School on Tuesday night, Nov. 25, 2025, at home. The Panthers were led by Meredith Gray, who scored 16 points, while Cali Breden contributed 10 points. Anna Kribs...
ROXANA — Althoff Catholic secured a decisive 70-31 victory over Southwestern on Tuesday night, Nov. 25, 2025, during the Midwest Members Credit Union Roxana Hoopsgiving Tournament. The game remained competitive after the first quarter, with Althoff holding a narrow 16-14 lead. However, Althoff...
CARLINVILLE — Marquette Catholic's girls basketball team defeated Carlinville 45-35 in a girls basketball game Tuesday night, Nov. 25, 2025, led by Allie Weiner’s 23 points and Laila Davie’s 14 points. The game was competitive early, with both teams scoring 11 points in the first...
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