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.
PIASA - Carter Bacon’s steady rise through the season ended with a team-high scoring performance in Southwestern’s finale, offering a glimpse of what could be ahead for the Piasa Birds’ sophomore guard. Bacon scored 10 points on Feb. 25, 2026, in the Piasa Birds’ final game...
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High School girls cross country coach Kevin Reiseck watched sophomore Marion Hemmer emerge as the Knights’ No. 2 runner during the 2025 season, a rise he said was fueled by significant improvement and capped by a personal-record performance at the IHSA Class...
ALTON — Alton High School has announced junior Jayce DeGerlia as the latest Art Fahrner–Edward Jones Remarkable Redbird of the Month, recognizing her outstanding academic record, musical excellence, and leadership within the Redbird community. An accomplished second-generation Redbird...
GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, announced a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning for the area and urged residents not to burn as forecasters cited critical fire danger from low humidity, gusty southwesterly winds, and dry fuels. “For everyone’s situational...
HIGHLAND - Highland Community Unit School District No. 5 officials said a reported threat written on a bathroom stall earlier this week has been investigated and addressed. At the same time, district leaders and police urged the public to report safety concerns directly to authorities...
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 recognized its 2026 Illinois State Scholars during a February Board of Education meeting, praising the students for “their hard work, dedication, and academic excellence.” “These outstanding students were...
EDWARDSVILLE - Chelsey Phipps’ first-grade class at Midway Elementary School in Edwardsville recently marked Chinese New Year with an in-class lesson that introduced students to traditions associated with the holiday, according to a post from Edwardsville School District #7 and Midway Elementary...
BUNKER HILL — Cole Yates scored 13 points to help Bunker Hill defeat Nokomis 38-23 in the semifinals of the Bunker Hill Regional on Wednesday night, Feb. 25, 2026. Bunker Hill is having a magnificent season under head coach Tim Marston, with 23 wins and only seven defeats. The Minutemen's...
CARLINVILLE - Staunton emerged with a 48-35 win over Southwestern in the 2A Carlinville Regional on Wednesday night, Feb. 25, 2026, and Carlinville defeated Father McGivney Catholic in another matchup. Staunton now plays for the regional championship against Carlinville on Friday night, Feb. 27, 2026...
CARROLLTON - Calhoun prevailed 68-49 over Greenfield-Northwestern in the Carrollton 1A Regional semifinals on Wednesday night, Feb. 25, 2026. The win was the 26th of the season for Calhoun with only five losses. Lane Eilerman led the Warriors with 15 points, Easton Wallendorf...
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