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.
GULF SHORES, ALA. - Jacquelyn Buettner and C.J. Nasello were engaged on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, during a special moment on the beach in Gulf Shores, Ala. The couple plans to marry in May 2026 and looks forward to building a future together with the love and support of their families. C.J....
HIGHLAND - Highland Legion Post 439 scored four runs in the first inning to go ahead 4-1, with Alton Post 126 rallying to tie the game in the fifth and eventually send the game into extra innings. Highland scored the winning run on an error in the ninth to take a 5-4 win over the Legionnaires...
O'FALLON — Donald W. Dossett Jr., 73, a registered child sexual predator, was charged Thursday, June 26, 2025, with one count of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of a child under 13, the St. Clair County State's Attorney’s Office announced. The charges stem...
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department has issued a felony warrant for Austin Cates for failing to update his sex offender registration, officials announced Friday, June 27, 2025. Cates last updated his registration in 2023 and was last known to reside in Collinsville, Illinois. The warran...
STAUNTON — Staunton Community Unit School District No. 6 will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Staunton High School on Saturday, June 28, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the community’s educational future. The event will take place at 801 N. Deneen St., beginning with...
EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis High School’s baseball program is experiencing a resurgence, highlighted by multiple players earning college scholarships, including pitcher Jarvis Spearman. The Flyers’ success this season is credited to a combination of dedicated coaching,...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Tyler Grosvenor, 30, of St. Louis, died early Thursday morning, June 26, 2025, following a motorcycle crash at the intersection of South Broadway Avenue and Hoffmeister Avenue, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. Officers from the South County Precinct...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Unemployment rates across several cities in St. Clair County showed notable declines from May 2024 to May 2025, according to a recent report by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Belleville’s unemployment rate fell from 4.8 percent in May 2024 to 3.7 percen...
ALTON - Unemployment rates in both Alton and Edwardsville in May 2025 compared to May 2024 showed a drop in rates. Alton’s unemployment rate dropped from 5.1 percent in May 2024 to 3.8 percent in May 2025. Edwardsville saw a decrease from 3.7 percent to 3.1 percent over the same period. Other...
GLEN CARBON - Justin Terhaar, a senior from Father McGivney Catholic High School, concluded a historic baseball season and is set to continue his athletic career at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Terhaar, who played third base and earned first-team all-state honors, finished the season with...
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