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.
EAST ST. LOUIS – Nefer Ojeda-Elenes, a 33-year-old man from California, was sentenced to 228 months in federal prison for his role in trafficking fentanyl to the Metro East region. The sentencing took place following Ojeda-Elenes’ guilty plea to conspiracy and distribution charges...
JERSEYVILLE - Amelia Strebel, a standout student-athlete from Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100, has earned a place on the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Academic All-State Honorable Mention team. The announcement was made following the selection of 76 students across the state,...
SPRINGFIELD - Nolan Keller scored 13 points in a narrow 43-41 defeat to Chatham Glenwood during the super-sectional game on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Bank Of Springfield Center in Springfield. Keller said the game saw both teams exchanging leads early on before Chatham Glenwood pulled ahead i...
ST. LOUIS — Dr. Bruce Vest of the Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic crew secured first place in the "Wheels" (FLOAT) section of the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade for the second consecutive year. The event took place recently in Soulard, a neighborhood known for its vibrant Mardis Gras celebration,...
EAST ST. LOUIS — Authorities continue to investigate the shooting death of 19-year-old Pfc. Byron Gettis Jr., a soldier in the United States Army Reserve, who was found dead in an alley on Sunday, March 8, 2025, in East St. Louis. Gettis, a resident of Fairview Heights, was reported missing...
ALTON - Elaina Cowan and Jenna Redman have emerged as co-winners of the 2025 Volleyball Rules and Concepts contest, part of the Chargers Need To Know initiative at St. Mary’s Catholic School. The contest, designed to enhance players’ understanding of essential volleyball rules, is an annua...
SPRINGFIELD – Both Nolan Keller and Tyler Thompson led Triad with 13 points each, but a spinning reverse lay-up by Jonathan Helm with 2.2 seconds left in regulation gave Chatham Glenwood a 43-41 win over the Knights in the IHSA Class 3A super-sectional state quarterfinal game Monday night,...
JACKSONVILLE - Greenfield-Northwestern star senior guard Talon Albrecht capped off his outstanding high school basketball career with a 23-point performance on Monday night, March 10, 2025, but it was Peoria Christian that emerged victorious in the IHSA Class 1A Super-Sectional game, winning 66-49....
ALTON - If you would like to find one of the most helpful, hardworking, and kindhearted individuals in the area, look no further than our most recent Remarkable Redbird, senior Ja'Miel Johnson. Ja'Miel is one of the main people responsible for allowing students into the Redbird Store during...
ALTON - Radley Hoener, a Marquette Catholic High School senior, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her athletic career in college soccer at Columbia College. The announcement was made during a recent signing at Marquette, where Radley expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead...
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