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.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Detectives are investigating a homicide after an adult male was found shot to death early Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in the 12100 block of Bellefontaine Road. St. Louis County Police officers from the North County Precinct responded at 2:06 a.m. Saturday, to a ShotSpotter...
MONROE COUNTY — James L. Goodwin, 81, of Belleville, was arrested Nov. 13, 2025, following an investigation into allegations of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving two juvenile females, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department announced Nov. 15, 2025. Deputies received a report...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued charges against suspect Christopher Crawford, 27, of the 7400 block of Vermont Avenue in St. Louis, MO. 63111, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Weapon, Explosive or Hazardous...
ALTON/GODFREY — For more than three decades, Community Christmas has been a cornerstone holiday initiative, a local effort aimed at supporting families in need during the holiday season. This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the program, as well as the 18th year of the Freer Auto Body Cookies...
EDWARDSVILLE — The City of Edwardsville will hold a lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, to unveil the newly refurbished Leclaire water tower, a nearly century-old landmark located at Longfellow Avenue and Troy Road in the Leclaire neighborhood. The refurbishment project, completed...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A former Belleville attorney has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison after admitting to embezzling more than $1 million from his clients, including the children of a fallen police officer. Jason R. Caraway, 51, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to six counts of...
EDWARDSVILLE — Illinois State Police Troop 8 is responding to a crash at the intersection of Edwardsville Road/Illinois Route 143 and Bender Road. The incident has led to the closure of eastbound Edwardsville Road, with traffic being diverted south onto Wanda Road. Motorists are advised...
ST. LOUIS — Approximately 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 at Boeing in the St. Louis area have voted to ratify a new five-year contract, ending a strike that began Aug. 4, 2025. Members are scheduled to return to work Sunday,...
ALTON - Auroras may be visible from Alaska to Maine on Thursday night, Nov. 13, 2025, as geomagnetic storm conditions continue, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are expected to be visible...
ALTON - Robert E. Ryan, a World War II veteran and longtime attorney from Alton, died early Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the age of 102. Ryan died at 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Luke’s Surrey Place in Chesterfield, Mo. Born Sept. 23, 1923, in Alton, Ryan was the son of Martin G. and Mary Theres...
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