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.
CASEYVILLE - Illinois State Police Troop 8 units responded Saturday night, March 7, 2026, to a fatal crash on Illinois Route 159 in Caseyville, where a northbound passenger car struck a pedestrian and the person’s canine near an intersection, authorities said. The crash happened at about 8:57...
VANDALIA - Jersey Community Middle School wrestling delivered a strong showing at the Sectional Tournament over the weekend in Vandalia, finishing second as a team behind a performance led by three individual champions. The Panthers were paced by sectional titles from Wade Ball at 119 pounds, Grayson...
JERSEY - Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin traveled Friday, March 6, 2026, to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office to deliver lunch and certificates of recognition to Jersey County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Hardin recognized Sgt. Kevin Ayres and 911 telecommunicators Kelly Nichols and Kaitlin...
JACKSONVILLE — Jersey Community High School’s girls track and field team traveled Friday, March 6, 2026, to an indoor invitational at Illinois College, where Morgan Allen broke the school record in the high jump by clearing 5 feet, 5.25 inches. Allen’s record-setting mark came...
ALTON - Around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, emergency services responded to a call about a possible building collapse at 2426 East Broadway, Alton. The incident was initially dispatched by the Alton Police Department following reports of structural concerns. Alton Police arrived on the scen...
MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office warned the public about a fraudulent email scam involving purported payments tied to a Sheriff’s Sale, saying it has received “several reports” of emails claiming to be from Roup and the Sheriff’s Office....
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a car that killed an adult male Friday afternoon, March 6, 2026, near the intersection of Kilmory Drive and Shackelford Drive, authorities said. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s...
EDWARDSVILLE — Metro East Lutheran senior Landyn Jefferson is being recognized as BJ’s Printables Male Athlete of the Month after standing out in both eight-man football and basketball during the 2025-2026 school year. Jefferson, a 6-foot-3 senior, drew high praise for his defensive play...
EDWARDSVILLE — Metro East Lutheran High School junior Alexa Stock has finished her junior girls basketball season and is preparing to shift into spring 2026 roles with the school’s varsity soccer and softball teams, continuing a multi-sport run that includes basketball, soccer, and softball....
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School’s math team won the overall Class A Regional Championship on Feb. 28, 2026, at the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics Competition held at Southwestern Illinois College. The team victory marked the first time in school history...
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