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.
EAST ST. LOUIS — A St. Peters, Mo., man was sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison after admitting to kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend at gunpoint and forcing her to obtain an abortion in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Kevin L. Smith, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping...
EAST ST. LOUIS — The East St. Louis Flyers continued their dominant football season with a decisive 49-0 IHSA Class 6A quarterfinals victory over Chicago Simeon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at their home field in East St. Louis. The Flyers are set to face St. Laurence in the state semifinals...
BETHALTO — Pruitt Mechanical Services LLC distributed nearly 1,000 turkeys to families in need across the Riverbend area on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, aiming to support the community during the Thanksgiving holiday. The event took place throughout the day, with cars lining up and volunteers...
ALTON — Members of the Calvary Baptist Youth group, along with Pastor Jeff Davis, spent part of their day Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, assisting the Alton Police Department with fall landscaping cleanup around the department’s grounds. The volunteer effort took place at the police department’...
WESTMONT — O’Fallon’s Alyssa Albertyn delivered sensational performances at the IHSA State Swim Meet Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, finishing second in the 200-yard freestyle and third in the 100-yard freestyle, marking the best finishes in the area. Albertyn touched the wall in 1 minute,...
BELLEVILLE — Investigators with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department say a home invasion reported Saturday morning, Nov. 15, 2025, in the 7700 block of Woodcliffe Drive in unincorporated Belleville stemmed from a domestic violence incident. According to the St. Clair County Sheriff's...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Quarterback Reece Shanklin threw for two touchdowns, while running back Ahmad Coleman ran for two more as East St. Louis opened up a big halftime lead in going on to a 49-0 win over Chicago Simeon in the quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 6A football playoffs Saturday afternoon,...
CASEY - Calhoun’s football squad rolled into the IHSA Class 1A state football playoffs semifinals with a 28-21 quarterfinals triumph over Casey (Westfield) on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. The Warriors now face Mt. Sterling (Brown County) on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Hardin. The 1A state football...
WESTMONT — Edwardsville High School sophomore diver Natalie Kaiser moved up eight spots to finish 39th at the IHSA State Championships, capping off a landmark season for the EHS Swim and Dive Team. The state competition took place recently at the FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park. Kaiser's...
BELLEVILLE — Two people were shot Saturday morning, Nov. 15, 2025, at an apartment building on Woodcliffe Drive in unincorporated St. Clair County, the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office said. At approximately 11:57 a.m. on Nov. 15, the St. Clair County CENCOM emergency operations center...
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