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.
BELLEVILLE - Belleville East High School will honor Kristin Johnson as a new member of the Lancers Wall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during halftime of the varsity basketball game against Althoff Catholic. The recognition highlights Johnson's accomplishments both in her early life and professional...
O'FALLON/SHILOH — The O'Fallon Fire Rescue team is rallying community support following a devastating fire on January 14, 2025, that resulted in a total loss of a home near Golden Spring Parkway. The Shiloh Police Department has joined the effort by promoting a fundraiser on social media for...
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Kahok Bowling Head Coach Sean Hay achieved a significant career milestone this past week, when his Lady Kahoks bowling team defeated Waterloo, marking his 500th combined victory with both the boys and girls teams. The match took place at the Collinsville bowling alley,...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department welcomed two new officers to its ranks following their graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy. Jacob Fedderke and Terrence Stokes completed their training at the academy and will now undergo additional training in the department's Patrol Division. The...
O'FALLON - The O'Fallon Township High School District 203's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Drill Team achieved notable success at the recent Mascoutah High School Drill Meet, securing two trophies. The O'Fallon team earned first place in Unarmed Regulation and second place...
COLLINSVILLE — A shooting early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025, in Collinsville has left one person dead, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities. The incident occurred just before 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Olive Street and Indiana Avenue in Collinsville, where police...
SPRINGFIELD — Colleen Schumann, the reigning Miss Calhoun County, achieved a top finish out of 74 contestants at the 2024 Miss Illinois County Pageant held this past weekend in Springfield. Colleen was 16th overall at the pageant. The 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen is Johnna Fulcher...
GODFREY — The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a cold advisory for Monday night, Jan. 20, 2025, to Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025. Bakers & Hale has closed its kitchen due to a waterline break in Godfrey on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The closure comes as the region experiences frigi...
LITCHFIELD - Kyle Cameron is spearheading a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the unexpected expenses following the death of Christina White, who died after a head-on collision last week. She died last week at St. John's Hospital. The fundraiser aims to cover Christina's cremation and funeral costs,...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated today, various Illinois political figures expressed their perspectives on the significance of the event and its implications for the state and the nation. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, representing Illinois' 13th Congressional...
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