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.
EDWARDSVILLE — Austin L. Mullins, 22, of Alton pleaded guilty Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, to first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Jacob “Jake” Wall, 23, of Wood River, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. The shooting occurred on July 24, 2023, during a...
NEW BADEN, Ill. — A search and recovery operation was launched Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, afternoon after a man fell through the ice of a pond near Clinton County Line Road and Renth Road and did not resurface. The New Baden Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Monda...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Terrell Jackson, 22, of Florissant, Mo., has been charged with second-degree murder and other felonies following a head-on crash that killed two passengers and injured two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers, authorities said Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026....
HARDIN - Calhoun defeated Rushville 58-35 in a basketball game on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, extending its record to 14-3 for the season. The game featured strong performances from Calhoun’s Jack Zipprich, who scored 22 points, including three three-pointers, and Gage Kiel, who added 12 points, an...
ALTON — Rosie Brown, an Alton alderwoman and candidate for Illinois State Representative in District 111, expressed some strong opinions on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, after Alton Steel, Inc., announced on Jan. 26, 2026, that it will cease operations this week. This will end nearly 25 years of...
GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) has released the following statement following today’s closure announcement of Alton Steel: “I am truly shocked by today’s announcement. Just weeks ago, Alton Steel was actively hiring, and there were no indications tha...
ALTON – Alton Steel Inc. announced on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, "with deep sadness" that it will cease operations effective this week. After nearly 25 years of steel production in Alton, the company faces insurmountable challenges, including aging infrastructure, intense market competition,...
ALTON - Marshall Pfahler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, reported frigid temperatures across the region on Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2026. Alton recorded the lowest temperature at minus 6 degrees, with other areas experiencing similar cold conditions. According to...
CENTERVILLE - Centreville, Illinois, recorded the highest total from weather watchers this past weekend at 10.5 inches, according to Marshall Pfahler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Centreville is a community in St. Clair County. Nearby communities in Illinois also saw substantial...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - St. Clair County emergency and road crews are actively responding to winter weather conditions by keeping residents informed and working to maintain safe roadways. The St. Clair County Emergency Management agency has been providing timely updates about weather developments. Meanwhile...
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