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 — Delaney Ortmann, a 5-foot-10 sophomore for Marquette Catholic’s regional champion girls basketball team, has emerged as one of the catalysts in the Explorers’ success during the 2025-2026 season, according to coach Whitney Sykes. Ortmann’s development this season...
ROXANA — As the only senior on Gillespie’s girls basketball roster in the 2025-26 season, Sadie Sholtis emerged as a central figure for the team, providing leadership during a year that ended with a 17-13 record. Sholtis, a 5-foot-9 multi-sport athlete who also participates in softball...
GILLESPIE — Gillespie's girls basketball team is poised for strong success in 2026-2027 with a large number of returnees from this year's team. Coach Nikki Brawner was disappointed to lose to Marquette Catholic 44-32 in the regional title game at Roxana on Thursday night, Feb. 19, 2026. However,...
ROXANA - Marquette Catholic set an early pace and never trailed on the way to a 44-32 win over Gillespie to claim the Class 2A Roxana Regional title on Thursday night, Feb. 19, 2026. Marquette Catholic head coach Whitney Sykes said the Explorers established control in the opening quarter and relied...
ALTON - The Alton Expo will not be held in 2026 or 2027 "because of a scheduling conflict with the carnival company," the City of Alton announced on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. City officials also stated that they plan to bring the event back in September 2028. “The City of Alton enjoys working...
FATHER MCGIVNEY CATHOLIC 55, HILLSBORO 45: In the IHSA 2A girls regional final at Litchfield, Father McGivney Catholic went out to an early lead and maintained it throughout to eliminate Hillsboro. The Griffins now advance to the Virden (North Mac) Sectional next week. The victory was also the...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police detectives are investigating the death of an adult man after an officer-involved shooting early Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, when officers responding to a reported assault encountered an armed man at a home in Overland, Mo. Detectives from the St. Louis County...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School’s girls basketball team captured the program’s 13th IHSA Regional Championship in school history on Thursday night, Feb. 19, 2026, defeating Gillespie 44-32 to advance to the IHSA Class 2A Sectional semifinals at Virden (North Mac) on Tuesday,...
BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department recognized three employees as recipients of its 2025 awards during a City Council meeting held this week, honoring an officer, a detective and a civilian staff member for their service to the Belleville community. The department said Officer...
EDWARDSVILLE/COLLINSVILLE - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a St. Louis man on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, after a pursuit that followed an investigation into a report of shots fired at a home in unincorporated Collinsville this past Saturday, Feb. 14, authorities said....
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