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 - Students from the Jersey Community High School band were selected to participate in the SIUE Bi-State Bands event held Friday and Saturday at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The students traveled to SIUE on Friday evening for initial practice sessions, followed by all-da...
ALTON — Civic Memorial High School senior Jude Breyer finished in fourth place individually at the IHSA Regional Bowling Tournament at Alton, contributing to the Eagles’ team victory and advancing them to the sectional competition. Shown above are CM bowlers. The CM bowling boys are...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Ka'Ontee Johnson, 30, of the 1400 block of Comet Drive in St. Louis, was identified as the pedestrian fatally struck early Saturday morning, Jan. 17, 2026, in the 9000 block of Lucas and Hunt Road, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. The incident occurre...
ALTON — Woody’s Chicken, a well-known local brand that closed in 2019, made a test comeback on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, by serving its signature chicken tenders from a food truck. The event took place at the Mr. Everything parking lot, 211 E. Elm St., starting at 10 a.m. and will continue...
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville had 12 different players score, led by 16 points from Mia Semith, as the Tigers scored the game’s first 40 points, shutting out East St. Louis in both the first and third quarters in a 73-22 win over the Flyers Friday night at Lucco-Jackson Gym. It was also...
EDWARDSVILLE - Jamison White guided East St. Louis with a game-high 23 points, including multiple slam dunks in a 60-45 win over Edwardsville on Friday night, Jan. 16, 2026, at Edwardsville in front of a capacity crowd. Alex Johnson had 19 points for East St. Louis and Phillip Jones came up with...
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville's boys kept within 15 points of Southwestern Conference in a 60-45 loss to powerhouse East St. Louis on Friday night, Jan. 16, 2025, at EHS. It was Hall of Fame night at the gamerid, with the 2026 Class being introduced in pregame ceremonies, and East Side roared...
ALTON — A two-vehicle crash occurred at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at the intersection of 20th Street and Piasa Street in Alton, according to Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford. One adult male was taken to Alton Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Chief Ford said Friday...
ALTON - Noah Menke has been an exceptional student-athlete in his four years at Marquette Catholic High School. His community involvement has also been exceptional. The senior boasts a 4.67 GPA, has earned 24 college dual-credit hours, and completed 145 hours of community service. In addition to...
RIVERVIEW, MO. - The mayor of Riverview, Mo., was the person charged Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 , with multiple sex crimes by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving minors that occurred between 2016 and 2026. The St. Louis County...
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