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.
WOOD RIVER - Kayley Plank, a senior at East Alton Wood River High School, has been recognized for her achievements in cheerleading. Plank, who has dedicated 11 years to the sport, has been a member of her high school cheer team for four years under the guidance of coach Alison Beachum. In addition...
ALTON - 1st MidAmerica Credit Union and the Alton Police Department issued a warning about a recent wave of scam calls where individuals impersonate representatives from the credit union. The alerts, issued by the credit union, emphasize that these callers may request sensitive personal information,...
HARDIN — Conner Longnecker made history on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, during a basketball game where the Calhoun Warriors defeated rival Pleasant Hill Wolves 60-39. The game, held at Calhoun High School, marked a significant milestone for Longnecker, who became the school’s all-time leading...
ST. LOUIS – A United Airlines regional jet slid off the runway at St. Louis Lambert International Airport shortly after landing on Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2025, prompting the closure of Runway 11-29. The incident occurred at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday when Flight 4427, operated by GoJet Airlines,...
ALTON — As of noontime Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, the immediate Metro East area has been spared of a battle with ice or heavy snowfall. Brad Charboneaugh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said while temps have remained at freezing or slightly below on Wednesday,...
ALTON — A special Black History exhibit will be showcased at Alton City Hall Lobby starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. The exhibit, a collaboration between Alton's First Lady Sheila Goins and historian Charlotte Johnson, aims to spotlight the contributions of Dorothy H. Scott, ...
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville went out to a 23-10 first-quarter lead, never looking back in a 62-47 Southwestern Conference win on Tuesday night, Feb. 11, 2025, over O’Fallon at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Stanley Carnahan, Donovan Coates, and Jace Wilkinson all led the Kahoks with 16 points apiece,...
ALTON - Alton High Head Cheer Coach Megan Hodge had only positive things to say about the contributions of two All-Southwestern Conference athletes, senior Mariah Jones and sophomore Landon Davis. Both Jones and Davis are Auto Butler Athletes Of the Month. Hodge said Jones is a third-year varsity...
SOUTH CHINA SEA — The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is currently engaged in routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The carrier has been conducting these operations since February 5, 2025, as part of ongoing...
COLLINSVILLE - The City of Collinsville welcomed three new leadership appointments within its Police Department during the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, Feb. 11, 2025. Collinsville Mayor Jeff Stehman officiated the swearing-in ceremony for the newly promoted officers, who bring decades...
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