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.
EAST ST. LOUIS - Rosie Rochelle, a single mother from East St. Louis, is seeking support through a GoFundMe campaign for her infant son, Ace, who was born with a rare condition known as Radial Ray. The condition affects the development of Ace’s arms, hands, and feet, presenting unique challenges...
EDWARDSVILLE - Grace Oertle had three hits and three RBIs, Riley Nelson tossed four perfect innings inside the circle, and Edwardsville took advantage of five O'Fallon errors in the second inning to score nine runs and take a 16-0 win over the Panthers in the final of the IHSA Class 4A regional Frida...
JACKSON, TENN. - The Alton River Dragons fell to the Jackson Rockabillys 13-12 in a high-scoring baseball game Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Jackson, Tenn. The game featured a dramatic seventh inning and ended amid controversy with a key interference call. The Rockabillys led 4-0 entering the seventh...
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville police are seeking the public’s help in locating Najal Cheeks, who has an active felony warrant for aggravated fleeing and obstructing. Collinsville Police officers have made multiple attempts to find Cheeks but have so far been unsuccessful. The Collinsville Police...
SPRINGFIELD — Granite City Officer Douglas B. Nicoson earned one of the state's highest honors on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Springfield. Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson and Chief Gary Brooks attended the Governor’s Medal of Honor ceremony, where 23 police officers across Illinois...
EDWARDSVILLE - Annie Fitzgerald, on behalf of Faith Jordan, of Edwardsville, has launched a fundraiser to help cover the costs of inpatient mental health care for one of Jordan’s daughters, who has been battling multiple mental health challenges and requires long-term inpatient treatment to ensur...
ALTON — The Alton Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Lawn Street on the evening of Wednesday, May 28, 2025. At approximately 9:33 p.m., officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the 3100 block of Lawn Street in Alton, Madison County. Upon arrival,...
GODFREY - An 85-year-old man - Morris E. Gross - died, and another person was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Airport Road in Godfrey over the Memorial Day weekend. The collision occurred at approximately 5:24 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, near the 1100 block of Airport Road in Godfrey. Gross...
JERSEYVILLE - Jersey High School’s softball team secured a spot in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regional Championship after a commanding 7-0 victory over Jacksonville on Wednesday, May 8, 2025. Freshman pitcher Paxton Weirich played a pivotal role in the win by throwing a no-hitter...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Three Fairview Heights police officers were shot and injured during a confrontation with a suspect on May 17, 2025. Two of the officers continue to recover after treatment. One of the officers, Molly Muennich, was shot in the face, while Herminio Raimundi was shot in...
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