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.
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...
CARROLLTON - Calhoun edged Pawnee 63-61 on Friday night, Feb. 27, 2026, to capture the Carrollton 1A Regional crown, led by 25 points from Jack Zipprich, as the teams traded runs across four quarters. Calhoun outscored Pawnee 15-10 in the first quarter and took a 31-27 lead into halftime after a 16-1...
EDWARDSVILLE — Miccah Butler scored 18 points and freshman Matthew Wilson added 17 points as Edwardsville used an 11-0 third-quarter run to pull away from Collinsville for a 61-43 victory Friday night, Feb. 27, 2026, in the IHSA Class 4A boys basketball regional championship at Lucco-Jackson...
MONROE COUNTY - A two-vehicle head-on collision that drew in a third car left one woman dead and three others injured Wednesday evening in Monroe County, authorities said. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report of a traffic crash with injuries at about 6:16...
WOOD RIVER - Emma Glenn, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for soccer, citing academic achievement and leadership as key factors in the honor. Glenn said she believes earning a 4.0 GPA in her last semester of high school “has made a huge impact on this...
PIASA - Carter Bacon’s steady rise through the season ended with a team-high scoring performance in Southwestern’s finale, offering a glimpse of what could be ahead for the Piasa Birds’ sophomore guard. Bacon scored 10 points on Feb. 25, 2026, in the Piasa Birds’ final game...
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High School girls cross country coach Kevin Reiseck watched sophomore Marion Hemmer emerge as the Knights’ No. 2 runner during the 2025 season, a rise he said was fueled by significant improvement and capped by a personal-record performance at the IHSA Class...
ALTON — Alton High School has announced junior Jayce DeGerlia as the latest Art Fahrner–Edward Jones Remarkable Redbird of the Month, recognizing her outstanding academic record, musical excellence, and leadership within the Redbird community. An accomplished second-generation Redbird...
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