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.
EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged the former owner of Zapp Thai Restaurant Inc. in Edwardsville, alleging he defrauded the state of more than $100,000 in sales tax revenue, authorities said. The Attorney General’s office charged Saran Puribhat, 54...
BETHALTO — Bethalto Police Chief Jason Lamb has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to the Bassett-Gabriel Law Office. The law firm confirmed Friday morning, April 17, 2026, that Lamb is on paid administrative leave. Bassett & Gabriel Law Office, PC is the Village Of Bethalto...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said charges have been filed in connection with a shots-fired investigation stemming from an April 11, 2026, incident on East 4th Street, citing the use of video evidence and license plate reader technology to identify vehicles involved. “This case is...
GLEN CARBON - Harper Dettmers, Hayden Etcheson, and Emerson Isringhausen all found the back of the net, while Peyton Ellis made four saves in goal as she and Addison Ronk shared the clean sheet as Father McGivney Catholic won its eighth match on the trot in taking a 3-0 win over Civic Memorial...
O’FALLON, IL — A goose that returned to O’Fallon Public Safety property this spring 2026 for the third consecutive year to lay eggs has been given space by officers to keep her safe, said O’Fallon Police. The department asked the public to help name her through a vote on its...
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School senior Liam Schmidt was honored as one of 26 students selected to the Illinois High School Association All-Academic Team, the school said recently, recognizing achievements that extend beyond athletic competition. The school said the honor...
ALTON - The Alton High School Robert Logan Doubles Invitational will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, at three sites in Alton and Godfrey, Illinois, bringing 12 teams to a tournament that honors former Alton boys and girls tennis coach Robert Logan, who died in 2016 after battling cancer...
O'FALLON, Ill. - The O’Fallon Police Department has introduced a new Blue Envelope Program, a voluntary and free initiative developed in partnership with The Autism Hero Project to support safer, more positive interactions between police and individuals on the autism spectrum....
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is recognizing its telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12-18, 2026, highlighting the role dispatchers play in answering 911 calls and coordinating emergency responses in Madison County....
ALTON - Isabel (Izzi) Grace Hough, a junior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for soccer, a sport she says has shaped her growth on and off the field. Hough said she began playing through Park and Rec in kindergarten and continued when Alton Irish began when she was in second...
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