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.
EDWARDSVILLE — Staff members of Edwardsville School District #7 have returned, marking the start of the 2025-26 school year, reuniting with colleagues across the district. A kickoff event brought together teachers and staff from various schools within the district, emphasizing a shared...
HIGHLAND — The Highland Police Department has announced multiple road closures in downtown Highland, Illinois, to accommodate the annual Kirchenfest festival set for Aug. 19-25, 2025. The event, which celebrates the city’s Swiss and German heritage, will prompt street closures and traffic...
GODFREY — The Illinois Department of Transportation has intermittent lane closures on West Delmar Avenue from State Street in Alton to Illinois 3 in Godfrey that started Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. IDOT Operations Engineer Joe Monroe said the closures, necessary for pavement rehabilitation, are...
EAST ST. LOUIS,/CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — More than 1,500 customers experienced a power outage Friday afternoon, Aug. 15, 2025, in the East St. Louis/Cahokia Heights area. The outage began at 12:20 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, and was caused by the equipment failure just outside the substation, according...
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville City Council approved key leadership changes within the Belleville Fire Department during a meeting held Monday night, Aug. 18, 2025. Belleville Mayor Jenny Gain Meyer appointed Curt Lougeay as the new Fire Chief and Jesse Garnica as Deputy Chief, with both...
O’FALLON, Ill. — The Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary Parent Teacher Organization has completed a series of improvements to the school playground, thanks to community support and collaboration with District 90. Over the past several months, the PTO’s Playground Committee, alongside...
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 has appointed Dr. Antaniece Carter as its new Director of Social Emotional Learning, Health & Wellness, a move aimed at enhancing student support services across the district. Dr. Carter brings extensive expertise to the role, combining her...
ALTON - Members and staff from Calvary Baptist Church, Calvary Christian School, and the Alton Police Department’s Facilities Crew collaborated this past weekend to refresh the landscaping at the Alton Police Department. The joint weekend landscaping effort aimed to enhance the appearance...
SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department welcomed two new officers who served in the United States Air Force during a special board meeting, as Nicholas Wallace and Jeffrey Rankin took their oaths of office from Mayor Jeff Parker. Wallace and Rankin's military backgrounds are expected...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County police are investigating a homicide that occurred Sunday afternoon in the 200 block of Carrington Lane. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 4:28 p.m. Aug. 17, 2025, to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they found an adult male suffering...
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