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.
SHILOH - Shiloh Police said two East St. Louis residents were charged Thursday, July 16, 2026, in connection with an attempted armed robbery at a Commerce Bank in Shiloh earlier this week. The warrants, issued July 16 by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, charge Jahvaris...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 255 just south of Interstate 64 at about 2:49 p.m. on July 16, 2026, authorities said. One driver died from injuries suffered in the crash, ISP said later on Thursday. A preliminary investigation indicates...
ALTON - Alton Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting early Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the 600 block of Leonard Street after officers found one gunshot victim dead inside a residence and the suspect also dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Alton Police reported. Dakotah Ingram, who...
GODFREY - Marli Nixon has been appointed human resource director for the Village of Godfrey, replacing retiring director Mark Cappel. In her new role, Nixon will oversee the village’s human resource activities, including recruitment, retention, compensation, benefits, employee records, human...
EAST ST. LOUIS - The investigation into the gruesome murder this past weekend of five people in East St. Louis continues. Authorities in East St. Louis identified five family members killed in what investigators described as a targeted mass shooting as prosecutors filed murder and other felony charges...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said Wednesday, July 15, 2026, that retired K9 Jax has died, marking the loss of what the department described as “a true member of our family.” Jax died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones, according to a department statement o...
ALTON - Multiple law enforcement agencies converged on a dead end of Leonard Street in Alton late Wednesday, July 15, 2026, into early Thursday, July 16, 2026, responding overnight to a barricaded-suspect incident centered at a house. A command post was established at Mark Twain Elementary School,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Incoming sophomore Jake Brinker delivered a freshman standout season for the Edwardsville High School boys tennis team this past spring, winning the individual sectional championship and turning in a strong performance at the state tournament. Brinker's head boys tennis coach says...
EDWARDSVILLE - Several appointments, zoning measures and an advisory question on voter identification were approved at a Madison County Board meeting in Edwardsville, where board members also honored three high school state champions. The board recognized Triad’s Sophia Schardan for winning...
WOOD RIVER - Jordyn Spiller, a 6-foot-3 senior for the East Alton-Wood River High School Oilers, is viewed as one of the team's top prospects heading into the 2026-2027 school year. He scored a season-best 31 points on Feb. 10, 2026, to help his team defeat Mt. Olive 62-48 at EA-WR High, offering...
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