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 - The Lincoln Middle School Math Team took first place this week at a regional competition, outpacing dozens of other teams in Madison County. Theo L., Sam P., Grayson W., and Will C. earned first place at the Madison County ROE 41 Jr. Olympiad on Tuesday, according to...
EDWARDSVILLE - Kaleb Turney, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, recently concluded his boys basketball career at Metro East Lutheran High School. He was an outstanding player the past two years for MELHS and helped the Knights in 2025 in a postseason push. He was probably the team's best shooter at the...
EDWARDSVILLE - Brady Bishop’s season at Metro East Lutheran included standout scoring in many games and a recent honor that his athletic director said reflected months of work with his teammates. Bishop, a Metro East Lutheran player, was recently named to the Gateway Metro all-conference boys...
EDWARDSVILLE - Lt. Brian Stipcak is retiring from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office after more than 25 years of community service, the agency announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said Stipcak, who held the rank of lieutenant,...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Detective Tommy Gattuso its Officer of the Month for December 2025, citing his work since joining the department’s Narcotics Unit in the middle of last year and his role in investigations that led to charged cases and drug seizures...
GODFREY - Godfrey will host its Annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza on Sunday, March 22, 2026, offering a free Easter egg hunt for children at the Glazebrook Park Baseball Diamonds on Stamper Lane. Organizers are inviting families to bring children for an afternoon of activities centered on an egg...
EDWARDSVILLE - City officials in Edwardsville, Illinois, hosted the annual Business Forecast Breakfast on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, bringing together more than 220 people connected to the local business community at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Conference Center. The event gave Mayor...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police are warning residents and businesses about fraudulent letters being emailed in the community that claim to come from a city planning commission and seek payments for various fees. The Fairview Heights Police Department said it “has been...
SWANSEA - A Swansea, Illinois, man - Deondre E. Jones - is accused of robbing a credit union and claiming he had a firearm. He was taken into custody within minutes and appeared in federal court on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, to face a bank robbery charge. Jones, 55, is charged with one count o...
GRAFTON — A brief tornado with peak winds of 98 mph struck Grafton early Wednesday, March 11, 2026, damaging two businesses and nearby homes but causing no injuries or deaths, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis. National Weather Service surveyors determined the tornado...
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