Dan Brannan, Content Director

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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.

ALTON - A recent court filing shows Red Lobster is rejecting leads of 23 locations by Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. A total of more than 100 Red Lobster restaurants closed earlier in the summer. The Alton Red Lobster at 170 E Beltline Parkway, Alton, is not on the closure list released by Red Lobster...
ST. LOUIS - Residents across the region are being urged to take precautions as a heat advisory remains in effect today, with temperatures expected to drop slightly Wednesday but still remain warm. The National Weather Service issued the advisory due to high temperatures and reasonably high humidit...
WEST ALTON - A West Alton man - 59-year-old Donald G. Winter - died in a vehicle crash at 3:25 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, on the Eastbound Missouri Highway 94 West of Dwiggins Road. Winter was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Express vehicle that encountered extensive damage and was headed northbound....
BELLEVILLE – A new excavator valued at more than $100,000, stolen from a job site in Belleville, was recovered in working order in a cornfield in St. Clair County on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The recovery was facilitated by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which acted on a tip generated...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights Cultural Committee met last week to discuss critical issues, including the Ten Shared Principles designed by the NAACP and the Illinois Chiefs, the hiring of qualified community members, police use of force, training, and the future of professional law...
ROXANA - Roxana High running back Andruw Ellis enters the 2024 football campaign as one of the area’s top picks for success. Ellis has a blazing 4.6 40-yard dash speed and recently signed with Northern Illinois University to play football in 2025. Ellis is the latest Roxana player to sign with...
BELLEVILLE — The Burger King restaurant at Green Mount Commons in Belleville has permanently closed its doors, according to the company's website. The restaurant, located at 2508 Green Mount Commons Drive, appears to have been emptied, with the menu boards in the drive-thru removed and a large...
GODFREY - A vehicle collided with the front doors of a building in Madison County on Friday afternoon, Aug. 23, 2024, but thankfully caused no injuries, according to local authorities. The crash occurred in the Monticello Plaza area of Godfrey at an Edward Jones office. Marcos Pulido, Chief Deputy...
EDWARDSVILLE – Multiple fire departments responded to a devastating fire in the 8100 block of Goshen Road late Saturday night, Aug. 24, 2024, as flames engulfed a residence, necessitating a second alarm due to the absence of fire hydrants in the area. Firefighters from departments including...
ALTON — The Illinois State Police have identified Vernon Randle Jr., 27, of Alton, as the suspect who died in a shootout near Liberty and 6th Street in Alton on Thursday. The altercation also resulted in the death of Odin, a beloved K-9 of the Alton Police Department, and injuries to Officer...