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.
BETHALTO — Ace Hardware of Bethalto has expressed gratitude to its customers for support in a recent fundraising initiative that benefited local organizations. The store, located at 1 Airway Court in Bethalto, collected donations through a register round-up campaign for The Community Hope Center...
ST. LOUIS - Law enforcement in Missouri has officially commenced for the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law, which prohibits drivers from holding their phones while operating a vehicle. Many from the Alton, Edwardsville and Belleville areas drive across the river to Missouri on a daily basis fo...
ALTON — Alton, Illinois, has been named one of the "50 most charming small towns in America" by HGTV, a recognition that celebrates its unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural heritage. The announcement was made as part of a broader initiative by the home improvemen...
EDWARDSVILLE — A local community is rallying to support Kate Baumgartner, the owner of Sacred Grounds Coffee, as she faces unexpected medical bills due to a difficult diagnosis. The fundraising effort , organized by Connie Fish, aims to alleviate the financial burden on Baumgartner, who ha...
HOLIDAY SHORES — Ashley and Connor Maedge, a newlywed couple from Holiday Shores, exchanged vows on Dec. 14, 2024, at Pere Marquette in Grafton in a ceremony that emphasized giving back to the community. Rather than traditional wedding gifts, they asked guests to bring toys for children that...
ST. LOUIS - Additional snowfall created hazardous travel conditions across the region on Friday, January 10, 2025, as meteorologists warned commuters to exercise caution during the morning and evening commute drives. Matt Pfalka, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in St. Louis, stated...
ALTON - At 12:41 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, Alton Police Department officers responded to 1205 Florence St. in reference to what was described as "a male possibly waving a hunting rifle around in the front yard of this residence." Alton Police Jarrett Ford said: "Upon arrival, a male subject...
EAST ST. LOUIS – Lakeatra E. White, a 32-year-old postal carrier from Granite City, was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for stealing credit cards from the mail and using them for personal expenses. The sentencing took place in a Southern Illinois district court after White pleaded...
Snow continued to fall heavily across the region on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, creating challenging conditions for commuters and prompting local authorities to deploy snow removal trucks throughout the Metro East Illinois area. As of 7 a.m. Friday, the snowfall had intensified, with officials predicting...
ALTON - The wildfires in Los Angeles have taken on pretty deep meaning over the last few days for my family. Sierra Brannan, my 24-year-old daughter, has been in the middle of much of the chaos. Last night she had to evacuate her apartment because of close-by explosions and fire mayhem. She stayed...
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