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.
SPRINGFIELD — Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois issued more comments with excitement on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Springfield, celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost) is the first...
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Police have two felony warrants for Demarco Q. Robinson on charges of financial institution fraud, alleging he committed check kiting resulting in losses exceeding $65,000 at UMB Bank in Collinsville. The Collinsville Police released information on May 9, 2025, as part...
BELLEVILLE — At the Gateway Metro Conference Track Meet held Wednesday, May 7, 2025, several athletes from Marquette Catholic delivered standout performances that underscored their dedication and competitive spirit. Junior Jack Beaber set a new school record in the shot put with a throw of...
BELLEVILLE - The Father McGivney Catholic High School Griffins captured both the girls and boys' titles at the Gateway Metro Conference Track and Field Championships, held Wednesday, May 7, 2025, marking the first time the school has won both championships in the same year. The girls team amassed...
ALTON - Terrez T. Whitehead, 24, of Belleville, faces multiple charges for allegedly shooting a man at an Alton home in the Landings of Belle Meadows Apartment Complex. The Belle Meadows Apartment Complex is located at 3200 Belle Street in Alton. He faces a charge of Aggravated Battery With A Firearm,...
BELLEVILLE — The Diocese of Belleville expressed gratitude and support on Thursday, May 8, 2025, for the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. In a statement issued by Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB, Moderator of the Curia for the diocese, the Belleville Catholic...
BELLEVILLE - Father McGivney Catholic nipped host Belleville Althoff Catholic to win the Gateway Metro Conference boys track championship in the conference meet, held on Wednesday at Althoff's facility. The Griffins won the meet with 122 points, getting past the second place Crusaders, who had...
BELLEVILLE - Father McGivney Catholic's girls track team ran away with the Gateway Metro Conference championship in the conference meet, held Wednesday at Belleville Althoff Catholic. The Griffins won with a total of 184 points, outdistancing the host Crusaders, who were second at 132 points, with...
EAST ST. LOUIS — During Teacher Appreciation Week, East St. Louis School District 189 has recognized Imani Dyson, an 11th-grade English teacher at East St. Louis Senior High School, for her dedication to student learning and instructional excellence. The district highlighted Ms. Dyson...
O’FALLON, Ill. — Nathan T. Smith was sentenced Tuesday, May 6, 2025, to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Ivan J. Marshall. The conviction stems from the May 22, 2022, shooting death of Marshall, ...
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