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.
GREENFIELD/ROXANA - Calhoun secured the regional volleyball championship with a 2-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-17) victory over Carrollton on Thursday night in the Greenfield Regional Championship, overcoming a first-set loss to claim the title. Both teams displayed strong performances. Calhoun Coach Melissa...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police officers from the South County Precinct responded at 7:44 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male who had been struck by a vehicle. The victim was transported to...
GRANITE CITY - Quincy ended the 2025 volleyball run on Thursday night, Oct. 30, 2025, in the regional championship against Edwardsville. Edwardsville won the match 25-23, 18-25, 22-25. The match was highly contested and a nail-biter until the end. Quincy concluded a remarkable season with a 29-7...
Senior Leadership, Scrappy Play Makes Difference As Edwardsville Wins Three-Set Thriller Over Quincy To Advance To Class 4A Girls Volleyball Sectional By COLIN FEENEY GRANITE CITY - The Edwardsville High girls volleyball team used scrappy play, while the seniors provided leadership and...
MADISON — Joan Wilkins, 84, lost her home and belongings in a house fire on Oct. 29, 2025, in Madison. Her granddaughter, Erin Sabol, has launched a fundraiser to assist Wilkins in rebuilding her life. Sabol said Wilkins was not at home when the fire occurred and is currently staying with...
ALTON — Jack Beaber, a standout guard and linebacker for Marquette Catholic, has been instrumental in the Explorers’ strong 2025 football season, which has positioned the team as a contender in the Illinois High School Association state playoffs. Beaber’s athleticism has made hi...
BETHALTO - Max Weber of Civic Memorial High School made history on Oct. 25, 2025, by becoming the first athlete from the school to win three consecutive Illinois High School Association Class 2A Cross Country Regional titles. Weber secured the championship at the Taylorville IHSA Class 2A Regional...
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 has received its 2025 Illinois State Report Card, highlighting academic performance and areas needing improvement across its schools. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the report cards, which evaluate schools on multiple...
ALTON — The Riverbender building, a historic downtown landmark, celebrated its 100th anniversary on Oct. 24, 2025, with a morning gathering of tenants, community members, and building representatives on its renovated first floor. Originally opened in 1925 as the First National Bank, the building...
GREENFIELD - Calhoun’s girls volleyball team secured a 25-18, 25-16 victory over Greenfield-Northwestern on Wednesday night in the Greenfield Regional Semifinals, advancing to the regional championship match. The game took place at Greenfield, where Calhoun displayed strong offensive and defensive...
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