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.
BRIGHTON - Grace Strohbeck pitched a perfect game recently to lead Southwestern to an 11-0 victory over North Greene in a five-inning softball contest. The game took place recently, with Strohbeck retiring every batter she faced, a rare achievement in softball and baseball. Grace is recognized...
GRANITE CITY — The Granite City Police Department announced the addition of a new officer to its ranks on Tuesday. Freddy Edwards, a graduate of Granite City High School. Edwards officially joined the department and is set to attend the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy startin...
O'FALLON, Ill. — The O'Fallon Police Department is seeking public assistance following a burglary at the Bike Surgeon at 201 E. State St. early Sunday morning, April 20, 2025. The O'Fallon Police said the incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. on April 20. Police reported that the suspect was...
GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School will hold a blessing ceremony for its new Track and Field facilities and a prayer vigil to honor the memory of Brandon Ahring, a beloved alumnus and assistant coach who died last week in a car accident. On Monday, April 21, 2025, the...
BELLEVILLE — Belleville Police are investigating a reckless discharge of a firearm after multiple shots were reported in the area of Dale Allen Drive and Chaucer Drive on the evening of April 16, 2025. At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 16, Belleville officers responded to calls of gunfire...
O'FALLON - Edwardsville hurdler Sophie Shapiro broke a pair of school records on Friday afternoon at the O'Fallon girls' Invitational track meet at OTHS Panther Stadium. Shapiro lowered her own record in the 100-meter hurdles to 14.35 seconds, then set a new record in the 400 meters with a time...
EDWARDSVILLE - Riley Nelson had a big game in the circle, allowing only one run on four hits, while striking out 11, while catcher Remi Werden drove home a pair of runs, and both Audrey De La Torre Cruz and Lily Stone also drove in runs, as Edwardsville won over Triad 4-1 in a Good Friday...
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville High School Tiger Talk Podcast Network visited Springfield recently to meet with Illinois State Representative Katie Stuart and veteran journalist Jak Tichenor, gaining firsthand experience in media production and state government. Sponsored by Dave Lipe and...
ALTON - Jayden Bierman of Alton High School is truly honored and grateful to receive the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club Student of the Month Award for April 2025, which means more to him than he can truly express. Jayden's goal has never been to seek awards or recognition for the things he’s done;...
BETHALTO - On April 17, 2025, the Bethalto Police Department presented charges to the Madison County State’s Attorney's Office for Justin S. Banks, 35, of Bethalto. The following charges were filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney's Office: Justin S. Banks: CT I: Child Pornography...
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