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.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police Officer Molly Muennich, who was injured during a May 2025 incident and later underwent emergency surgery, has been named the 2026 Women in Criminal Justice Female Officer of the Year by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. The Fairview...
BETHALTO — Civic Memorial High School senior Kaylee Shields opened the outdoor track and field season with a third-place finish in the pole vault Friday, April 3, 2026, at Belleville West, continuing a strong indoors/outdoors year for the Eagles. Shields cleared 10 feet, 6 inches to place third...
BELLEVILLE — A tightly contested pole vault competition highlighted the Lady Maroons Invite, with three area athletes finishing among the top six as the girls' outdoor track and field season gets underway. Civic Memorial’s Kaylee Shields, Edwardsville’s Jaylin Bell, and Collinsville’s...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s Sophie Shapiro and Joi Story set the tone early Friday, April 3, 2026, delivering wins in hurdles and throws that helped power the Tigers to a dominant team title at the Lady Maroons Invite at Belleville West High School. Edwardsville finished first with 131 points....
BELLEVILLE — Rayna Raglin delivered another standout performance for the Alton Redbirds on Friday, April 3, 2026, turning in a personal-best time in the 100 meters and one of the fastest 200-meter marks in Illinois girls history at the Lady Maroons Invite at Belleville West High...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of an adult woman Sunday evening, April 5, 2026, in the City of Northwoods, authorities said. Officers with the City of Northwoods Police Department responded at about 5:30 p.m. April 5, 2026, to a call...
HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office said a 37-year-old man from Richland, Washington, was arrested late March 30, 2026, after investigators received information that an adult male was attempting to solicit a 13-year-old child in Hardin. Orlin Guevara-Ulloa was arrested at 11:32...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a wrong-way, head-on crash late Friday, April 3, 2026, on Lewis & Clark Boulevard near Highway 67 that killed a 23-year-old woman and injured four others. Detectives are asking witnesses to come forward. The crash happened at 10:44 p.m....
ALTON - Dennis “Denny” Stanford of OSF HealthCare was recognized with the Lifetime Legacy Award on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Alton, where the Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department honored him for more than 50 years of service to the community and the regional emergency services...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police said officers have taken 45-year-old Demetrius Ingram into custody after he was wanted in connection with the shooting at a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer around 10 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, in the 3200 block of South Kingshighway....
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