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.
TROY - Triad Community Unit School District #2 has named Josh Ackerman as the new principal of Triad High School, effective July 1, 2026. The appointment was approved during the district’s most recent school board meeting. Ackerman, a 1994 graduate of Triad High School, has spent his entire...
ST. LOUIS — Striking machinists at Boeing in the St. Louis area have made a counteroffer to the aerospace company just one day after rejecting its latest contract proposal, union leaders said Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District...
TAYLORVILLE - Civic Memorial's Max Weber is off to a phenomenal start in the postseason races, with a first-place clocking of 14:29.60 for three miles in the Taylorville Class 2A Regional Cross Country Meet. Liam Bettis of Taylorville was second in the race with a time of 14:38.03. Boden Duffy of...
MATTOON - The Jersey Community High School Cross Country Panthers competed in the Illinois High School Association Regional Meet on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Mattoon. Several athletes achieved personal season bests, while two runners qualified for the upcoming sectional competition. Qualifying...
BELLEVILLE — Colin Thomas of Edwardsville claimed first place in the Belleville West 3A Boys Cross Country Regional on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, finishing the three-mile race in 14 minutes, 26.60 seconds. Thomas edged out Brayden Kloeppel of O’Fallon, who took second with a time of 14:27.0...
CLINTON COUNTY — Authorities are investigating the shooting of multiple deer found dead near roadways in the Boulder area of Clinton County over the weekend. On Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Conservation Police were alerted to several dead deer...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City authorities are investigating the shooting death of a 26-year-old man outside a local bar on October 25, 2025. Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich identified the victim as Jesus Escobedo, a male from Iowa Avenue in Granite City. Escobedo was involved in an altercation...
BELLEVILLE — Edwardsville’s girls cross country team claimed the IHSA Class 3A Belleville West Regional Championship on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, scoring 33 points to defeat O’Fallon, which finished with 55 points. The meet, held at Belleville West, featured nine teams competing...
BELLEVILLE — Ellie Bush of O'Fallon claimed first place in the Belleville West 3A Regional cross country race on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Belleville West High School, finishing the three-mile course in 17 minutes, 30.60 seconds. The senior’s victory secured her qualification for the...
CARTERVILLE - Caden Meier of Triad High School continued his strong cross country season with a personal record and advancement to the sectional competition following the IHSA Class 2A Boys Cross Country Regional at Carterville on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Meier finished 20th at the regional meet wit...
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