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 — Dustin M. Kraushaar, a 33-year-old resident of the 15000 block of Humbert Road in Brighton, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals following an incident involving a cat. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office said the charges stem from an incident on March 19, 2025...
EDWARDSVILLE - Abigail "Abby" Godard, a 13-year-old wrestler from Edwardsville, was selected to represent the United States on the girls' team at the AAU ISF World Wrestling Championships in Zlatibor, Serbia. Abby returned home with a gold medal in the 33-kilogram category (72.5 pounds). The...
EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - The Alton Wood River Sportsmen's Club Youth Trap Team showcased their talent and commitment by clinching first place in the Open Division Singles at the Southern Illinois Youth Shooting Sports Association (SIYSSA) event held at Rend Lake on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The competition,...
JERSEY COUNTY — A motorcycle crash on Illinois Route 100 at Scenic Drive resulted in the death of the driver at 6:16 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, according to the Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8. ISP said preliminary reports indicate that the single-unit crash involved a motorcycle that...
COLLINSVILLE — Taylor Dawson, a standout wrestler at Collinsville High School, has been named Athlete of the Month following her remarkable victory at the Illinois State Girls Wrestling Tournament. Competing in the 140-pound weight class, Dawson made history by becoming the first female wrestler...
JERSEY COUNTY — Two motorcyclists were involved in a crash on State Highway 100 Westbound near Pere Marquette State Park on Sunday, April 13, 2025, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns reported that the two men were traveling together when they wen...
BELLEVILLE - Local boys' track athletes shined at the Norm Armstrong Invitational, the first big meet of the season, on Saturday morning and afternoon at Bob Goalby Field on the campus of Belleville West High School. Edwardsville won the team title with a narrow win over both Belleville...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s boys volleyball team pulled away to take the first set, then rallied back from a 6-2 deficit to take the lead and win the set and the match over Father McGivney Catholic 25-14, 25-18 in a match played Thursday evening at Joe E. Lucco Gym at Lincoln Middle School...
O'FALLON - This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis (MCS), a task force established in 1965 that plays a crucial role in investigating homicides and other violent crimes in the region. The MCS comprises nearly 600 investigators from 120 agencies throughout...
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department has initiated an investigation into the death of a 38-year-old male detainee who was found unresponsive in a holding cell. The Illinois State Police are conducting the investigation at the request of the Sheriff's Department. The incident...
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