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.
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department announced in its weekly "Fugitive Friday" social media post that Alec A. Bill has an outstanding felony warrant for Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Possession of a Controlled Substance after missing a scheduled court date....
MADISON COUNTY — Christina C. Costello of Cedar Lake, Indiana, has been charged with two counts of residential burglary for allegedly impersonating an Ameren employee and stealing valuables from elderly residents in Madison County and surrounding areas. Over the past several months, suspects...
GODFREY — Hope Animal Rescues, a nonprofit organization founded in November 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, is seeking donations to recover from financial losses sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization, which initially cared for 17 dogs rescued from the hurricane, focuses...
EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 broke ground Tuesday on new infrastructure to support the arrival of 25 electric school buses planned for this academic year. The initiative aims to provide students with a quieter and smoother ride, reflecting the district’s commitment...
BELLEVILLE - Maia Sebold, a resident of Belleville, earned second place in a national art competition celebrating America250, a program marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The contest invited students to create artwork responding to the prompt, “What does America mean to you?”...
BETHALTO - Taylor Weishaupt is organizing a fundraiser to support Hazel, a 7-year-old Bethalto girl facing a challenging medical journey due to severe scoliosis. Hazel was scheduled for a spinal procedure at the end of summer, but recent medical updates revealed she will require a halo brace before...
MADISON COUNTY — Efforts to reduce litter and illegal dumping in Madison County and Wood River, Bethalto, and Roxana have seen progress through increased accountability, Rusty Wheat told C.J. Nasello on Riverbender.com's Our Daily Show!. Local leaders and law enforcement have focused on holding...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Tryphena Cason, principal of Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis, passed away recently, leaving a significant legacy in the community she served. Cason devoted more than a decade to School District 189, working as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal,...
ALTON — Marquette Catholic High School has named John Siener as its new head baseball coach, the school announced Thursday, June 12, 2025. Siener succeeds Tim Fahnestock, who retired earlier this month after leading the Explorers for 11 seasons. Siener comes to Marquette after 14 years as an...
EDWARDSVILLE — Mrs. Sydney Layton, a teacher at Leclaire Elementary School, has been named Teacher of the Year by the Edwardsville Chapter of the NAACP. The announcement was made recently by the school, highlighting Layton’s dedication and passion for equity in education. Layton’s...
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
