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 – In another split vote, Alton City Council members narrowly passed $10,000 in funding for a six-week program aimed at curbing youth violence in the city. The resolution passed by a 4-3 vote tally that remained unchanged from Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting . Aldermen...
EDWARDSVILLE - After 27 years of service, Lt. Lawrence Warren of the Madison County Sheriff's Office has retired, concluding a career defined by dedication and leadership in law enforcement training. Lt. Warren's tenure included significant roles such as Field Training Officer, where he mentored...
TROY - Triad High School secured second place at the Mississippi Valley Conference Girls Golf Championship, achieving a season-best team score of 352. The event took place recently, showcasing the talents of Triad’s athletes in a competitive field. Triad's Kylie Miller distinguished...
GRANITE CITY - 8-year-old David Marty, a second grader at Holy Family Catholic School in Granite City, was diagnosed with leukemia this past spring in 2025. Since then, he has undergone numerous treatments and hospital stays, demonstrating resilience amid his cancer journey. To support David and...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Craig Jones, 22, of the 1200 block of Bliss Drive in St. Louis, was charged Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the fatal stabbing of his sister, Taylar Hill, 26, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting...
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today secured an important victory in a multistate lawsuit he is co-leading against the Trump administration over its attempt to illegally coerce states into sweeping immigration enforcement by threatening to withhold billions in federal funding...
EDWARDSVILLE - Belleville West's girls flag football team showed a lot of spark in a contest with Edwardsville's squad at Edwardsville on Wednesday night, Sept. 24, 2025. The girls showed defensive prowess with an offensive punch in the first half, and had a 19-14 lead at the half before Edwardsville...
EDWARDSVILLE - Remi Werden scored two touchdowns and threw to Serena Shapiro for another touchdown, while Shapiro scored twice, Gabby Thompson also had a touchdown, and Ella Wallace threw for a total of four scores as Edwardsville's girls flag football team bounced back from its first loss last...
ALTON — An alumni soccer game featuring former Alton High School players is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Public School Stadium, with the women’s match set for 6 p.m. and the men’s game following at 7:15 p.m., organizers said. Gwen Sabo, an organizer of the event and...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A Fairview Heights Police vehicle was deliberately struck during a traffic stop Wednesday morning, Sept. 24, 2025, authorities said. At about 9 a.m. on Sept. 24, a Fairview Heights police officer initiated a traffic stop on Old Collinsville Road, approximately a quarter-mile...
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