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.
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Alton River Dragons secured a 9–7 victory over the Jackson Rockabillys on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in a tightly contested game at Jackson, Tenn. Alton took an early lead, scoring twice in the first inning on a double by Kyle Campbell. The Dragons added two more...
CARROLLTON - Although the Carrollton Hawks baseball squad was eliminated by Father McGivney Catholic on Saturday, May 24, 2025, the team still played as hard as they could, but came up short on the day. "Well, you never want to end," said Carrollton head coach Ryan Howard. "So, my boys played hard,...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School senior Elijah Kolb was honored May 13, 2025, by the GCSD9 Board of Education and Administration as the 2024-25 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, recognizing his achievements in both academics and athletics. Kolb, a two-sport athlete excelling in football and wrestling,...
EDWARDSVILLE – Sophomore Kennedy Clark went all the way inside the circle striking out seven and getting key outs when she needed, while her O’Fallon softball teammates broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fifth with two runs, then added on two more runs in the sixth to give the...
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School is sending a boys' tennis player to the Illinois state tournament for the first time in a decade. Senior Ryne Breyer, a four-year member of the Civic Memorial tennis team, earned his spot among the state’s top competitors and will compete today. Breyer i...
ALTON - The Alton River Dragons will auction limited-edition jerseys during their June 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m. home opener game against the Quincy Dog Paddlers at Gordon Moore Park to support the Alton Fire Department and the Alton Police Department’s K-9 Division. All proceeds from the auction...
SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department took part in the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, honoring veterans and remembering those who have fallen in service to the nation. The Swansea Police Department showcased its Honor Guard, Bicycle Unit, and newly formed ATV Unit durin...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Kenneth Watts, a Truancy Officer with East St. Louis School District 189, is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service, the district announced Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Watts has spent nearly two decades working to remove barriers to student attendance and ensure access...
GODFREY — Oliver Eyman, a seventh-grade middle school track athlete from Evangelical School in Godfrey, has qualified to compete at the National Middle School Track Meet in Greensboro, North Carolina, after placing second in the high jump at the Illinois Elementary School Association State...
GRANITE CITY - Becky Hansel is appealing to the public for support as her 16-year-old niece, Trinity Waelterman, of Granite City, battles stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer that has spread throughout her body. The family is facing significant physical, emotional, and financia...
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