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.
TROY — Bluey - The St. Jude Hero made an appearance at the Maryville Farmer’s Market recently, helping to raise $320 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a purse raffle. The event took place at the market, which featured local farm products, baked goods, and handmade...
Photos by Brayden Cook Photography GRANITE CITY Granite City firefighters responded quickly to a fire at the Rapid Lube service center on Friday, June 13, 2025, successfully containing the blaze and saving the building, Fire Chief Todd Richey said Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Rapid Lube announced o...
Shelbi Ryals, a young area softball player, has been selected to compete in the USSSA All American Games this summer in Viera, Fla. The tournament will take place from July 28 to August 2 at the USSSA Space Coast Complex, where Ryals will have the opportunity to face some of the nation’s top...
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — A 26-year-old woman was killed in a pedestrian traffic crash near the intersection of Dingledine Road and Stonecroft Drive on June 14, 2025, shortly after 6 p.m., the St. Charles County Police Department reported. The victim, identified as Stacy M. Youngers of...
GLEN CARBON — Flames erupted through the roof of the Hardee’s restaurant at 4207 State Route 159 on the morning of Monday, June 16, 2025, prompting a swift response from local fire departments. Firefighters from Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, and Maryville worked together to extinguish...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School announced it will begin the search for a new head coach for its girls basketball program, following the conclusion of Bryan Young’s two-season tenure. The decision was made as the school looks to take the program in a new direction. Young served...
GRANITE CITY — More than 2,000 customers in Granite City and Madison experienced a power outage late Sunday evening, June 15, 2025, after a snake made contact with electrical equipment inside a local substation, Ameren Illinois reported. The utility company received several calls about the...
EDWARDSVILLE - Chloe Koons of Edwardsville and Ollie Okonkwo of Iowa City, Ia., won the men's and women's open singles championships of the Edwardsville Open tennis tournament, presented by The Opel Bash Group, on Sunday at the Edwardsville Tennis Center. Okonkwo won a wild card entry in the...
ALTON — Alton marked its 34th consecutive Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2025, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and highlighting the city’s longstanding commitment to the holiday. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is observed...
Justin Baker, MD, clutches a tiny koala bear as he talks about his approach to treating children facing a life-limiting or life-ending illness. The oncologist and palliative care specialist was a keynote speaker at a recent OSF Innovation showcase at the Jump Simulation & Education Center in Peoria,...
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