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.
BELLEVILLE — Charges have been filed in connection with a shooting incident involving a child that occurred on July 3, 2025, at a residence on the first block of North 42nd Street in Belleville, authorities said. Tyron L. Pembleton, 27, of Belleville, faces one count of unlawful possession...
HARDIN - On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Calhoun County Sheriff Bill Heffington hosted a luncheon to honor law enforcement personnel from Jersey, Pike, and Calhoun counties for their roles in a multi-agency investigation that led to an arrest following a series of burglaries in Pike and Calhoun counties...
COLUMBIA - Jeff Leuty, a father from Columbia, is seeking financial support for an experimental stem cell therapy to treat his 10-year-old daughter Gracie’s Type 1 diabetes. The family aims to raise $27,000 to cover the cost of the treatment offered by a clinic in Florida. Gracie Leuty, who...
ALTON — A 17-year-old female was fatally shot early Friday morning, July 4, 2025, on Oakwood Avenue, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Alton Police Department. At approximately 2 a.m. on July 4, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting in the 900 block of Oakwood Avenue....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified a 44-year-old Alton woman who died early Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025, after her vehicle struck a guardrail on Interstate 64. Eileen Campbell, a resident of the 200 block of Madison Avenue, was driving...
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department is investigating a shooting incident involving a 4-year-old boy who was wounded early Thursday morning, July 3, 2025. At approximately 7:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, Belleville Police officers responded to Memorial Hospital after the child arrived...
COLLINSVILLE — Collinsville author Thelma Ball has published a new book documenting the history of two major World War II defense plants in Illiopolis. "Illinois Munitions: A News Journal of the Oak & Sangamon Ordnance Plants 1942-1950 Illiopolis, Illinois," explores the development and operations...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A former bank president and a contractor has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in a scheme that involved falsifying loan applications to obtain funds between 2011 and 2020. Francis Eversman, 74, of Collinsville, and Gregg Crawford, 65, of Columbia, admitted...
MARYVILLE - Lisa Becherer has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her sister Cheryl Hays-Ridgeway and Cheryl’s husband, John, of Maryville, who have faced a series of serious health and financial challenges over the past decade. The fundraiser aims to provide financial relief to the couple,...
ALTON - Alton High School has named Deiondre Riney as the new head coach of its girls basketball team, the school announced Thursday, July 3, 2025. Riney, a 2019 graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia and St. Pius X High School in Crystal City, Mo., will replace Deserea Howard, who stepped...
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