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.
BATES COUNTY, MO. - The Bates County Coroner’s Office has identified the 12 victims of a plane crash that occurred Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri, while cautioning that authorities are still working to make “certain” the deceased are positively...
JERSEYVILLE/ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - A tornado watch remained technically in effect Wednesday morning, June 17, 2026, for Montgomery, Macoupin, Jersey, Calhoun, Greene, Pike, Brown, and Adams counties in Illinois, but the threat had “severely lessened” after showers and storms moved through...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Three East St. Louis Senior High School students were recognized for their academic achievements by Walker’s Winners, a nonprofit sponsored by St. Louis Cardinals player Jordan Walker and managed by his mother, Katrina Walker. As a reward for meeting their academic...
JERSEYVILLE — Eighth-grade students in the Summer STEM class at Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 recently completed a sustainable energy unit by designing and building windmill models from recycled and repurposed materials, applying lessons on renewable energy and...
BLOOMINGTON, IL. - The O'Fallon Police Department said members of the department took part in the 2026 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games at Bloomington-Normal, IL., where athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and supporters from across the state gathered for a weekend...
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Cahokia Heights Police Department and Cahokia Heights Fire Department joined volunteers, including the Cahokia High School football team, in Operation Fresh Start in Cahokia Heights, Ill., this past week, according to Police Chief Dr. Thomas L. Trice. Trice said...
ALTON/BRIGHTON - A Brighton-area man was killed late Sunday night, June 14, 2026, in a fiery crash in Alton after his truck left the roadway, struck a parked vehicle, and then a tree, according to the Madison County coroner. Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich on Tuesday, June 16, 2026,...
GODFREY - A Godfrey teenager and former Alton High School cheerleader has earned a spot on Top Gun All Stars’ Senior Large Coed Level 6 team in Miami, a move that will take him to Florida as he completes his senior year online and pursues all-star cheerleading at one of the sport’s most...
EAST ST. LOUIS - The City of East St. Louis and Ameren Illinois unveiled two new public DC fast-charging electric vehicle stations Monday morning, June 15, 2026, at City Hall. The city and utility officials said the project is aimed at expanding access to cleaner transportation, plus supporting equity...
JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Farmers & Artisan Market will continue its season from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at City Center Plaza, 403 N. State St. in Jerseyville, with live music by Carl Mager, grilling nights, and local vendors offering produce, baked goods, crafts, and other items....
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