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.
FERGUSON, MO. - Prosecutors in St. Louis County have filed first-degree murder and other charges against an 18-year-old man in the fatal shooting of a Lyft driver in Ferguson, Missouri, a case investigators say stemmed from an ongoing feud involving the rider passengers. The victim was later...
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police are investigating the death of a 40-year-old man who was found unconscious early Wednesday, March 18, 2026, along a roadway, authorities said. Officers responded at about 5:22 a.m. March 18, 2026, to the area of Illinois Route 161 and Sullivan Drive in...
BELLEVILLE - Detectives investigating a fatal shooting in Belleville have filed murder and weapons charges against an 18-year-old Collinsville man, police said. On March 17, 2026, detectives with the Belleville Police Department presented information related to the March 15, 2026, homicid...
CHESTERFIELD, MO. - The pilot killed in a plane crash at Spirit of St. Louis Airport at 18270 Edison Avenue in Chesterfield, Missouri, has been identified as Edward Ruhbeck, 65, of St. Louis, according to St. Louis County officials. St. Louis County said Tuesday, March 17, 2026, that Ruhbeck,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Linda Andreas said she was very appreciative of the voting support she garnered to defeat challenger Kurt Prentzler as the Republican nominee for the Madison County Clerk position. Andreas was declared the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial...
SPRINGFIELD - With most precincts reporting, state Sen. Darren Bailey held a wide lead Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the Illinois Republican primary for governor. Bailey had 281,431 votes, or 53.49%, with 92% reporting. Ted Dabrowski followed with 151,101 votes, or 28.72%. James Mendrick had...
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker used primary election night remarks Tuesday to declare himself the Democratic nominee for governor and to frame the coming general election, while Christian Mitchell said he was “so proud to be your Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor.” Pritzk...
JACKSONVILLE - Roxana's Gianna Stassi and Civic Memorial's Kaylee Shields and Sara Rider are all off to strong indoor track and field starts. Stassi blazed home in first place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at an indoor meet at Illinois College track in Jacksonville with a time of 12:07.64. Shields...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights police arrested a St. Louis man in the parking lot of a Lowe’s store after officers said they found him connected to a stolen U-Haul vehicle, authorities reported. Fairview Heights Police said the department was dispatched March 15, 2026, to...
ALTON - Alton High’s girls track and field team won the overall title Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Jacksonville Indoor Invitational at Illinois College, highlighted by six-event victories and multiple school records. Alton finished the meet with 99.5 points. Mascoutah was next with 87.5...
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
