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.
O’FALLON – Backup quarterback Dean Williams got the start in place of the injured Yale Weaver, and ran for one touchdown, and threw 92 yards to Eric Smith for another score, while receiver Devyon Hill-Lomax ran for two touchdowns as Edwardsville bounced back nicely with a 35-3 win...
MARYVILLE - Maryville Christian secured a hard-fought victory over Father McGivney in a girls volleyball match on Thursday night, Oct. 9, 2025, winning 24-26, 26-24 and 25-15. The match took place at Maryville Christian and showcased strong performances from both teams. Maryville Christian Coach...
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois officials have unveiled the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, a comprehensive $44.8 billion infrastructure investment over six years aimed at addressing the state’s aging transportation network and creating jobs. The plan, announced recently, targets improvements across Illinois...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Kieran Murphy, 57, of Florissant, Mo., was charged Wednesday with first-degree terrorist threat after authorities say he made a bomb threat to a hospital emergency room, according to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The charge stems from an incident...
ALTON - The Marquette Catholic girls' volleyball team recorded a 2-0 victory over Christ Our Rock Lutheran School on Thursday, winning sets 25-16 and 25-20. The win improved Marquette’s overall record to 15-14 and its Gateway Metro Conference standing to 5-4. Key contributors for Marquette...
WESCLIN — Both the boys and girls middle school cross country teams from Maryville Christian School captured regional championships at the SIJHSAA Class L Region 2 meet held recently in Wesclin, earning qualification for the upcoming state championships. The girls team made history by becoming...
CAHOKIA — Cahokia Unit School District #187 Superintendent Curtis McCall Jr. announced Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, the cancellation of all tailgating activities on school property until further notice, citing concerns for student safety and compliance with state law. The decision follows a letter...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery faced new federal charges, six weeks after being indicted on a separate count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Montgomery now stands accused of four counts of witness retaliation and one count of witness tampering. The charges stem from allegation...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Detective Jacob Custer as its Officer of the Month in recognition of his leadership and dedication. Detective Custer was honored for his management of the department’s Sex Offender Program, where he implemented routine compliance checks throughou...
EDWARDSVILLE — A 32-year-old man from Alton pleaded guilty Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, to multiple Class X felony charges related to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and child pornography, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. Nathan J. Welch entered his guilty ple...
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