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.
GREENVILLE - Two Greenville University students face Class X felony charges for child pornography after authorities allege they distributed an explicit image involving a minor. Ricardo Castillo Cosano, 24, and Alessandro Parolin Romero, 18, both residing on the 300 block of East College Avenue...
FLORA - An 11-year-old boy from Flora, born without a fully developed right arm, is set to receive a prosthetic arm equipped with adapters designed for sports and daily activities, thanks to a fundraising campaign by his family. The campaign reached its initial goal but continues to accept donations,...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville School District #7 showcased its artistic talent at the inaugural "Chalk This Way" Chalk Art Competition held Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Glen Carbon. Students from elementary through high school levels participated, with Edwardsville High School art teacher...
EAST ST. LOUIS/EDWARDSVILLE - On any given afternoon this fall, visitors walking through the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus—a long-standing hub of learning and service in East St. Louis—may notice something unexpected taking place: People quietly stretching on yoga mats, breathin...
ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives are seeking help identifying a suspect connected to a deadly shooting at 3:05 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2025, at a Schnucks grocery store in the 3400 block of Union Boulevard in St. Louis. The shooting incident began when two men began fighting inside th...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Zachariah Yinger, 37, owner of High Life at 122 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights, was arrested Sept. 19, 2025, following a multi-month investigation led by the Illinois State Police and Fairview Heights Police into the illegal sale of nitrous oxide, authorities said. ...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An 8-year-old boy died Sunday evening, Sept. 21, 2025, after a backyard swing set collapsed and trapped him beneath a crossbar in the 11300 block of Larimore Road, authorities said. St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating...
EDWARDSVILLE — Erin Hamilton-Foley, a former assistant principal at Edwardsville High School, was convicted Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sentenced to four years in prison. The 53-year-old pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to a Class 1 felony charge...
COLLINSVILLE - Extreme Baseball & Softball Club (Extreme BSC) announced a three-year plan to reduce player fees, aiming to make club sports more financially accessible for families in the Metro-East community. The initiative was unveiled by club leaders this past week, highlighting the organization’s...
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