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.
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville High School Latin teacher James Stark has been named the recipient of the Charles Humphreys Award for Innovative Pedagogy by the American Classical League, the organization announced recently. The American Classical League, a professional group dedicated to promoting the...
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski this week urged the United States Postal Service to halt plans to downsize the Springfield Processing and Distribution Center and consolidate its operations with the St. Louis facility, citing concerns over delivery delays and job losses. Budzinsk...
EDWARDSVILLE – Quarterback Coleten Knoedler threw for three touchdown passes in the first half, while running back Grady Mueller ran for three more scores, including two key touchdowns in the second half, as Chatham Glenwood defeated Edwardsville 39-31 in the IHSA football season opener...
O'FALLON, IL., - The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 600 block of West Madison on Friday evening. Authorities said the incident involved an O’Fallon Police officer, who was not injured. Authorities said there is no danger to the public,...
WOOD RIVER - The East Alton-Wood River Oilers varsity boys soccer team faced a challenging matchup against Carlyle on Thursday night, Aug. 28, 2025, during the John Martin Kickoff tournament at Soccer Park in Wood River. The Oilers played Carlyle a solid match until the end. The Oilers trailed 1-0...
WOOD RIVER - Jersey Community High School’s boys soccer team advanced to the championship game of the John Martin East Alton-Wood River High Kickoff Tournament on Thursday night, Aug. 28, 2025, after a decisive 10-2 victory over the Roxana Shells. Jersey will compete in the championship game...
GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a woman injured near the intersection of Veteran’s Parkway and Cleveland Boulevard on Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025. At approximately 10:20 a.m. on Aug. 29, 2025, officers responded to Gateway Regional...
SPRINGFIELD, IL.— Gabriel P. Calixto, 27, who has ties to the Metro East, was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend in Springfield, IL., and was captured in Mexico and will be returned to the United States to stand trial, federal authorities announced. Calixto faces...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A house fire in East St. Louis early Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025, has claimed the lives of three people, officials said. The fire broke out just before 7 a.m. Friday in the 3300 block of Bond Avenue, according to St. Clair County authorities. Emergency crews from the East...
FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL. — The U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Friday announced that Timothy Brandon Parsons, the former manager of the MC#1 Mine in Franklin County, Illinois, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in connection with a...
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