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 — A Madison County jury has awarded $241 million to the family of a courier who died after transporting dry ice in Missouri, finding Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. and related entities liable nearly a decade after the 2016 incident, according to information released on Friday, Feb. 27...
WOOD RIVER - Five Lewis & Clark Junior High School student athletes were recognized by the LCJH District 15 school board on Feb. 24, 2026, in Wood River, Illinois, for earning spots on the Boys Basketball All Academic Team, an honor created this year by Coach Overton and Kraig Daniels. The board recognize...
EDWARDSVILLE - Tucker Lindstedt is one of the five seniors on this year's Edwardsville High School boys basketball team, and has been very supportive of his teammates as well as being a talented forward in the 2025-2026 season. The Tigers move to the sectional semifinals for a contest against...
O'FALLON, IL. - Cambree York, a 14-year-old cheerleader from O'Fallon, IL., has battled “a serious illness and infection,” and time in the ICU recently. Karrie Schulte has organized a fundraiser for York to help her family cover expenses tied to her medical care. The fundraiser is intende...
JERSEY - The Jersey Community Middle School wrestling team won the IESA Regional Championship, finishing first ahead of Litchfield, North Mac, Auburn, Roxana, and Wood River. The Panthers secured the title at the IESA regional meet, led by a group of sectional qualifiers and multiple individual...
EDWARDSVILLE - Senior Macy Silvey scored the 1,000th point of her college career recently in Cookeville, Tennessee, helping SIUE defeat Tennessee Tech 76-60. Silvey, an Edwardsville High School graduate and former Tigers basketball standout, became the 29th player in the SIUE women's program history...
O'FALLON, IL. - Members of the O’Fallon Police Department and community participants took part Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in a long-running fundraising plunge for Special Olympics Illinois athletes, raising more than $33,000 in the process. The O'Fallon Police said the team’s...
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police are investigating the death of a juvenile male who was shot Friday night in the garage of a home in Belleville, Illinois, authorities said. Officers with the Belleville Police Department responded at about 7:53 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, to the 2700 bloc...
CARLINVILLE - Staunton nabbed its 29th overall win of the season on Friday night, Feb. 27, 2026, by winning the Carlinville 2A boys basketball regional over the host Cavaliers 56-37. Staunton is 29-3 overall on the year, Carlinville closes at 19-13. Jeremiah Graham had 17 points to pace Staunton,...
BUNKER HILL – Bunker Hill captured its first regional boys basketball championship since 1999 on Friday night, Feb. 27, 2026, with a 53-26 triumph over Carlyle at Bunker Hill. Bunker Hill now plays Jacksonville Rout Catholic at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Nokomis. The Minutemen were ahead 21-8 at...
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