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 - Metro East Lutheran High School freshman Cally Shank emerged as a versatile option for the program during the 2025-2026 girls basketball season, showing progress in a guard-forward role, according to her coach. Shank, a freshman forward for Metro East Lutheran, has “really steppe...
BELLEVILLE - The victim in the tragic shooting situation that evolved at 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in the 5800 block of Belleville Crossing has been identified by the St. Clair County Coroner's Office as Montavion Conrad, 20, of Belleville. The shooting victim was...
NEW ATHENS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis said an EF-1 tornado struck New Athens in St. Clair County on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026. An EF-1 tornado has wind speeds between 86 mph and 110 mph. Matt Beitscher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said the...
ALTON - A free community health screening offering take-home colorectal cancer tests and other screenings for adults is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Church of the Living God, 101 W. Elm St., in Alton. The event is being conducted in recognition of Colorectal Awareness...
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police officers are investigating a homicide after a 20-year-old man was shot and later died Sunday afternoon, March 15, 2026, and two suspects were taken into custody following a vehicle crash and a foot pursuit, police said. The shooting was reported at about...
GODFREY, IL – For Lewis and Clark Community College Alumna Destini Lednicky, making the decision to attend L&C was a turning point. What began as a local and affordable option quickly became the place where she built the confidence and support system that has been an integral part of...
EDWARDSVILLE - Members of the Edwardsville High School Orchestra and Orchestra Director Victoria Voumard provided a memorable performance at the Edwardsville City Business Forecast Breakfast at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026. The following students...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating the death of an adult female pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle Friday afternoon in the 1700 block of Lemay Ferry Road, authorities said. The crash happened just before 2:30 p.m. on March 13, 2026, when officers from the St. Louis...
GRANITE CITY - At 1:30 a.m. on March 14, 2026, officers from the Granite City Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 2100 Block of Monroe Street, Granite City, in reference to a female being attacked in the backyard by two dogs. Granite City Police said officers arrived on scene...
ALTON — Alton High School sophomore Baylee Dunse has been selected as the Art Fahrner–Edward Jones Remarkable Redbird of the Month , recognized for her dedication to student journalism and her growing influence on the school’s award-winning Tatler yearbook staff. Baylee is on...
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