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.
ALTON - Triad's Averi Moore and Jersey's Neely Goetten advanced to the singles final, while Father McGivney Catholic's Kennedi Taylor and Natalie Beck, along with Maddie Beck and Lilly Forneris, advanced to the state tournament over the weekend in the IHSA Class 1A Marquette Catholic sectional tournament...
GRAFTON — A male dog found running loose in Grafton around Oct. 15, 2025, began showing signs of illness the following day and was taken to Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, where staff suspected the animal might have contracted rabies. The dog was euthanized for testing, with results...
EDWARDSVILLE - Dia Kannan advanced to the state tournament in singles, while the doubles teams of Katie Woods and Albina Selimi and Campbell Hayes and Amelia Hill advanced to the IHSA state tournament as Edwardsville won the Class 2A girls tennis sectional tournament over the weekend at both...
EDWARDSVILLE – Quarterback Dean Williams ran threw for two touchdowns, and scored twice himself as Edwardsville’s football team overcame an early score by Alton and comprehensively defeated the Redbirds 37-7 in the final Southwestern Conference game of the season Friday night, Oct. 17...
EDWARDSVILLE Edwardsville High School’s swim team dominated the diving events and secured the overall victory at the Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, Swim For Hope Meet at the Chuck Fruit Aquatic Center at EHS. Nicki Kuchyt led the way in the diving competition, earning first place with a score...
NORMAL - The Liberty and Lincoln cross country teams from Edwardsville School District #7 delivered strong performances at the IESA Class 4A State Meet on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The Liberty boys team secured second place, while the Lincoln girls team finished third. Individually, five runners...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School students Gracie Cook and Schaefer Bates were crowned Homecoming Queen and King during halftime of Friday night (Oct. 17, 2025) football game against Alton. Edwardsville topped Alton 37-7 in the homecoming football game matchup. The crowning ceremony...
ST. CHARLES, MO. — A 34-year-old man was fatally shot by a St. Charles County Police officer Friday evening, Oct. 17, 2025, following a domestic disturbance call that escalated into an armed confrontation, authorities said. At approximately 6:37 p.m. on Oct. 17, St. Charles County Emergency...
JACKSONVILLE/CARROLLTON - Calhoun defeated Routt 42-14 in a high-scoring football game Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Routt. The victory improved Calhoun’s record to 8-0 as the team aims to complete the regular season undefeated. Calhoun took an early lead in the first quarter with a 62-yard...
JERSEY COUNTY — The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to remove six mature trees from the courthouse lawn due to disease and age, officials said. Jersey Sheriff Nick Manns said earlier this year, the office observed that several trees on the courthouse grounds were...
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