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.
GRANITE CITY - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Friday, March 27, 2026, that a 19-year-old Collinsville man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery stemming from the theft of a designer cross-body bag in Granite City. Jalon O. Mathi...
GLEN CARBON - Marquette Catholic used a pair of big innings to pull away from Father McGivney Catholic and earn a 17-10 girls softball win at Father McGivney. Marquette scored six runs in the first inning and added eight more in the third to build a 14-2 lead on its way to the victory over McGivney....
SHILOH - Detective Larry Wise and Sgt. Kyle Bade were recognized Tuesday night, March 24, 2026, at a Village of Shiloh Board meeting, where Wise received the 2025 Officer of the Year award, and Bade was honored for reaching 25 years of service to the Village of Shiloh, according to th...
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial's girls track and field team replicated the Eagles boys' effort on Tuesday, 129.5 points, compared to Marquette's 85.5 points. Metro East Lutheran had 65 points, Carrollton tallied 58 points, and Madison had 26 points. MELHS standout Lucy Doyle was a double winner in the...
BETHALTO - Jack Beaber of Marquette Catholic appears poised for a sensational outdoor track season. On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Civic Memorial Outdoor Track Opener, he won both the shot put (14.86 meters or 48-9) and discus (52.10 meters or 170-11) in his first competition outdoors in 2026....
WOOD RIVER - Roxana's girls had a big day in the East Alton-Wood River Quad Track and Field Meet on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, leading with 75 points. Father McGivney's girls followed with 65 points, EA-WR had 44.5 points and Trenton-Wesclin 37.5 points. Bella Redenius, of Father McGivney, had a spectacular...
WOOD RIVER - Father McGivney dominated the boys' part of the East Alton-Wood River Quad Meet on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at EA-WR Track, winning the meet with 73.5 points. Trenton-Wesclin followed with 62.5 points, Roxana posted 47.5 points, and the host Oilers recorded 36.5 points. The results...
JERSEY - Jersey high jumper Morgan Allen appears primed for the Illinois Top Times Meet this weekend after an exciting jump of 5-3.75 inches in a meet with Mascoutah, Cahokia, and Highland at home on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Allen will compete at the Illinois Top Times Meet that runs Friday and...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Charges were filed Monday against a 19-year-old St. Louis man in connection with the fatal shooting of Lionel Steed during an attempted robbery in St. Louis County, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said March 23, 2026, it issued charge...
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 PLAY IT AGAIN BOYS SPORTS ROUNDUP BASEBALL CARLINVILLE 9, GREENFIELD NORTHWESTERN 8 (8 INNINGS): Greenfield went into the seventh inning trailing Carlinville 5-3, but tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings, then scored three runs in...
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