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. — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that a grand jury on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, has returned a felony indictment against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, charging him with two counts of election law violations and a count of stealing $25,000 or more...
EDWARDSVILLE - Gillian Trover, a compassionate nursing student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is preparing for a medical mission trip to Costa Rica aimed at providing healthcare to underserved communities. The trip, organized through her School of Nursing, is scheduled to take place...
COLLINSVILLE - Last Friday, July 25, 2025, the Collinsville Police Department concluded the 2025 session of its Youth Academy, providing cadets with an introduction to various law enforcement career paths and aspects of the profession. The program, held in Collinsville, Illinois, included physical...
SWANSEA - Swansea Police Officer Daniel Voelker received a Certificate of Recognition from Village Trustee Natalie Jablonski recently for his leadership in organizing the inaugural Swansea Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Charity Golf Tournament earlier this summer. The golf tournament event...
WOOD RIVER - Adyson Bunt of East Alton-Wood River High School is being recognized for her dedication and leadership in cheerleading as she prepares to enter her senior year. Adyson is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Bunt, who has been cheering for six...
GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey is welcoming a tattoo studio for the first time in 24 years with the opening of Iron Will Tattoo, a new shop founded by award-winning artist Devon Plopper. Located at 202 W Homer Adams Parkway, Plopper says Iron Will Tattoo will offer high-quality, custom tattooing...
JERSEYVILLE — Nearly 10 inches of rain fell in Jerseyville during a severe storm that began late Saturday night, July 26, 2025, and continued into early Sunday morning, July 27, leaving hundreds of residents with significant basement flooding and water damage. According to residents, more than...
EDWARDSVILLE — A judge has granted the state’s motion to transfer the case of a 17-year-old charged in a shooting near a school bus stop to adult court, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine has announced. Jayvon R. Walton, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was initially...
EDWARDSVILLE - These are profiles of artists featured at the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair Sept. 26-28 at Edwardsville City Park. The artists featured today are David Bailey, Shannon Roman and Bradford Pollack. Artist #1: David Bailey Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "Being...
TRENTON — A family home in Trenton was severely damaged by two flash floods in less than a week, leaving the basement nearly submerged and destroying the living space used by the homeowner’s mother and daughter, according to a fundraising page created by the homeowner’s daughter....
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