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.
GLEN CARBON — A large fire broke out early Tuesday morning, April 29, 2025, at the Meridian Apartments complex, a 36-unit development still under construction in Glen Carbon, fire officials said. Glen Carbon Fire Chief Jason Whitaker said on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, that lightning is a primary...
GRANITE CITY — Air Methods has provided an update on the condition of its ARCH 1 team involved in an incident near the Hartford Fire Station on Monday, April 28, 2025. Air Methods is a med-evac support group that assists at the scene of a serious accident or the moment a life-threatening...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Calvenita Brock of East St. Louis is seeking community support to cover funeral expenses for her daughter, Kelsey Elem, 25, who was fatally shot in St. Louis County on April 24, 2025. Martino Lewis, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. The incident took place...
TROY - Edwardsville's Clayton Lakatos set a new personal best time in winning the 100 meters, as the Tigers ran off with the boys title of the annual Madison County Track Championships Tuesday afternoon at Triad High School in Troy. Edwardsville won the title with 163 points, wth Alton coming...
TROY - Edwardsville sophomore sensation Sophie Shapiro swept both of the hurdles races as the Tigers won the girls meet at the Madison County Track Championships Tuesday afternoon, April 29, 2025, at Triad High School in Troy. It seems that Shapiro is posting new personal bests at every meet,...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Two women from the Metro East were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme involving mail theft and more than $100,000 in bank fraud, authorities announced Wednesday. Tylann J. Starks, 30, of Swansea, received a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty...
EDWARDSVILLE - Logan Porter and Tyler Powell each had three hits apiece, as Edwardsville scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, and never looked back in taking a 13-8 win over Alton in the first game of a crucial Southwestern Conference series Tuesday night, April 29, 2025, at Tom Pil...
ALTON — Marquette Catholic secured a 3-1 victory over Waterloo Gibault Catholic on Monday, April 28, 2025, at home at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey, propelled by strong performances from Maya and Alex Stephan. Maya Stephan scored twice, while her teammate Alex Stephan added a goal. Both players...
MARYVILLE - The Maryville Police Department is addressing recent complaints about solicitors operating in the area, emphasizing that no active solicitation permits have been issued by the village. The police department reminds residents that authorized solicitors must display a permit on a lanyard...
ALTON — Travis L. Watley, 40, of Alton, was charged Monday, April 28, 2025, with aggravated unlawful restraint and domestic battery following a domestic disturbance reported Sunday morning, April 27, 2025, in the 2100 block of Mulberry Street in Alton. Officers from the Alton Police Department...
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