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 - The Alton City Council will consider a change to the city’s liquor code that would allow liquor sales beginning at 8 a.m. on Sundays, an hour earlier than the current 9 a.m. start, following discussions with local businesses. The proposal stems from a request by a local golf course,...
ALTON - Charges have been filed against an Alton resident after a man was fatally shot in the early morning of March 10, 2026, in the 700 block of Oakwood Estates, Alton Police said on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The Alton Police Department said the victim was identified as John T. Anthony, 42, of...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - A brief tornado with peak winds of 94 mph moved through rural parts of southern St. Clair County early March 11, 2026, damaging mainly trees and outbuildings, the National Weather Service survey crews in St. Louis have determined. The EF-1 tornado hit rural areas near Marissa,...
ST. LOUIS — A former Florissant, Mo., police officer who illegally searched the phones of 20 women for nude photos during traffic stops was sentenced Wednesday, March 11, 2026, to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,681 in restitution, according to information from the U.S. District Court...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic had two players on the Gateway Metro Winter All-Conference girls basketball team for 2025-2026. Father McGivney had four girls on the squad. Maryville Christian also had an all-conference selection.The girls team was as follows: Gateway Metro Winter All-Conference Girls...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic had two boys on the Gateway Metro Winter All-Conference team - Chase Jones and Cameron Golike. Father McGivney’s Chase Jansen was also rated as an all-conference player. Luke Smith and Kyle Johnson of Althoff joined them on the team. Brady Bishop of Metro...
BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department is reminding residents that Illinois state law governs the use of electric bicycles and electric scooters in the village, after the department received calls about the rules as warmer weather approaches. The Village of Bethalto “has no ordinance...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Substantial damage was reported on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a storm moved through southeastern St. Clair County, and the National Weather Service in St. Louis planned to send a damage assessment team later in the day to determine whether a tornado touched down. The St...
GRAFTON — Wind damage heavily impacted Drifters Bar and Grill and a nearby guest house early in the morning on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Grafton, with the National Weather Service in St. Louis considering whether a tornado may have been involved, officials said. Mayor Mike Morrow said...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department responded on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, 2026, after receiving an emergency call from a student on a school bus traveling within the city, police said. Police officers located the bus near State Street and Fourth Street in Alton and spoke with the student who placed...
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