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.
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...
BUNKER HILL — Bunker Hill Fire Department Co. 1 responded at 3 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, to a reported serious residential structure fire within the city limits of Bunker Hill, where first arriving units encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence. No injuries...
BUNKER HILL - Austin McClusky of Bunker Hill, Illinois, his fiancée, and their three children lost their home and belongings in a house fire on March 6, 2026 , prompting a fundraising campaign organized by Kristin Dailey to help the family find temporary housing and replace essential items....
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