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 - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Godfrey man after authorities said he threatened to detonate an explosive during a robbery at a Schnucks grocery store in Godfrey, then fled and was captured following a foot pursuit in Alton. The robbery occurred at 7:05 p.m. on Monday,...
GLEN CARBON - A major road reconstruction project, set to close a key intersection in Glen Carbon for more than eight months, is prompting local fire officials to adjust their emergency response plans ahead of the shutdown. Glen Carbon Fire Protection District Chief Jason Whitaker said the Illinois...
PIASA - Carter Bacon scored 21 points, and Southwestern survived two overtimes to beat Hillsboro 63-60 on Monday night, Feb. 23, 2026, in a boys varsity basketball game at Hillsboro. Southwestern head coach Jason Darr said the Piasa Birds played without one of their leading scorers, Cason Robinson,...
ST. LOUIS — On Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, 2026, Washington University issued an alert warning of an armed person on its Danforth Campus at 9:18 a.m. and stated, “WashU Alert: Armed person on Danforth Campus. Run, Hide, or Fight. If hide, lock or barricade yourself in a room until further...
TROY - Triad Community Unit School District #2 recently broke ground on a construction project at Triad High School to add a performing arts center, additional classrooms, and renovated career and technical education spaces. The project includes construction of the Triad Center for the Performing...
ST. LOUIS - Dr. Bruce Vest's group returned to the streets of St. Louis once again during the Mardi Gras Parade, aiming for a third consecutive first-place float prize at the city’s event. This time, the family-backed float effort was dedicated to the memory of his late son-in-law. Vest’s...
WOOD RIVER - KayLynn Buttry signed to continue her academic and basketball career at Greenville University on Friday morning, marking a milestone after a record-setting senior season at East Alton-Wood River High School. Buttry’s senior year included 19.5 points per game and 9.8 rebounds...
TROY, IL. - A fundraiser campaign organized by Stormy Biehl has been launched to support Cory Huebner and his four sons after Cesilie N. Huebner, 35, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, following a crash on Scott-Troy Road. Huebner, of Ellington Drive in Troy, died at 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2026,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville's Andre Myers, who will be swimming for Eastern Illinois University in college, won two events to qualify for the state meet, while O'Fallon will be sending two of their relay teams to the meet, and O'Fallon First Baptist Academy will be sending Bryce Light to the state...
ALTON - Jack Beaber is heading into what he expects to be a strong season in track and field at Marquette Catholic, and he has already taken his next step for college. Beaber, a Marquette Catholic student-athlete, signed a letter of intent this past week at Marquette to attend the University of...
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