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 — A juvenile male bicyclist was struck by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon, June 17, 2025, in the 1100 block of East B Street, prompting emergency response from Belleville Police and Fire Department units. At approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, responders found the juvenile unconscious...
BETHALTO — Megan Griffin delivered a standout performance for Civic Memorial High School’s girls softball team during the 2025 season, excelling both as a pitcher and a hitter. Griffin finished the season with a 9-10 pitching record and a 3.55 earned run average. At the plate, she batte...
CARBONDALE — The FBI Springfield Field Office is seeking information in connection with the defacement of the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building in Carbondale, which occurred on the evening of June 10, 2025. The federal building, located at 250 West Cherry Street in Carbondale, was vandalized,...
ROXANA — Ava Cherry, a versatile athlete for the Roxana Shells, has made significant contributions across softball, basketball, and volleyball during the 2025 season and is set to return for the 2026 season. Standing 5-foot-6, Cherry emerged as one of Roxana’s top hitters this year,...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 19-year-old O’Fallon, Illinois, man has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident following a fatal crash on June 13, 2025, St. Louis County Police authorities said. St. Louis County police officer...
ALTON - At approximately 9:30 p.m. on June 14, 2025, three individuals were reported in the water south of Island 522 on the Mississippi River, prompting a multi-agency rescue and recovery operation. Two of the three individuals resurfaced and swam to shore on a nearby island downstream from the...
ST. LOUIS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a tornado watch for parts of Illinois and Missouri as thunderstorms move through the region on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. NWS meteorologist Lydia Jaja said the environment is favorable for tornado development due to a combination of warm...
O'FALLON - The O'Fallon Police Department has issued 83 solicitor permits to individuals representing 24 different companies amid an increase in business activity following recent spring storms. The permits are intended to regulate solicitors operating in the area. Solicitors must comply with specific...
ALTON — The Alton River Dragons ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 shutout victory over their cross-town rivals, the O’Fallon Hoots, at Lloyd Hopkins Field in Alton on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The win came on Father’s Day and featured a standout performance from right-hander...
BATCHTOWN – A 12-year-old Batchtown girl died from injuries suffered in a UTV accident on June 12, 2025, on private property in Calhoun County, Calhoun Chief Deputy Sheriff Zach Hardin said on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Hardin said the call for the accident came in at 4:24 p.m. this past Thursday....
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