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.
ROXANA — Marquette Catholic used a strong defensive effort to secure a 35-31 girls regional semifinal win over Roxana, leading 23-13 at halftime, as Daisy Daugherty scored 15 points in her final game as a Shells player. Marquette Catholic coach Whitney Sykes said the Explorers' defensive effort...
EDWARDSVILLE - Freshman Journey Anderson hit a clutch free throw with 0.5 seconds left in regulation to climax a dramatic fourth quarter comeback by Edwardsville, and give the Tigers a 50-49 win over Quincy in the semifinals of the IHSA Class 4A girls basketball regionals Monday night, Feb. 16,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School’s boys swimming and diving team surged to a commanding lead Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, winning multiple events and piling up points at the Southern Illinois Swim Boys Championships at Edwardsville. Edwardsville led the team standings with 277 points through...
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Police responded Monday afternoon, Feb. 16, 2026, to a shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where two people were confirmed dead, and three others were injured in what police described as a targeted attack that may have been related to a family dispute....
CHICAGO - Rayna Raglin of Alton has picked up right where she left off at the end of the 2025 outdoor track and field season, with a tremendous performance this weekend in Chicago at the Fifth Annual Dr. Conrad Worrill Invitational. Raglin was named the Most Outstanding Athlete of the meet after sh...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville opened its indoor girls track and field season this past weekend in Chicago at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Invitational with a second-place team finish, highlighted by multiple school records and meet records. Sophie Shapiro, the Tigers' track sensation, led th...
EAST ST. LOUIS - The Illinois State Board of Education has named Lashaunda Ross, a counselor at Annette Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189, as a recipient of the Award of Excellence in the Those Who Excel 2026 program, the district announced. The Award of Excellence...
ALTON - Alton resident Greg Snyder, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime community volunteer, is seeking financial help through a GoFundMe organized by Jacinda Dunlap to cover mounting medical expenses and major vehicle repairs needed for transportation to the John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis. T...
EDWARDSVILLE - Illinois State Police investigators are reviewing a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police pursuit that ended with a driver’s death after a crash into a business building late Sunday night, Feb. 15, 2026, in Edwardsville. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville...
ALTON - Heaven Everage, a senior at Alton High School, has been named one of two Alton–Godfrey Rotary Club’s February Students of the Month, an honor recognizing her academic work, leadership, and community service in the Alton area. Everage and Jessica Eales, a Marquette Catholic senior,...
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