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.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — An 18-year-old driver was arrested on the morning of Sept. 3, 2025, for reckless driving after being caught traveling 81 mph in a 25 mph residential zone on Highland Road in Fairview Heights, authorities said. Fairview Heights Officer Ryan Teschendorf, conducting a speeding...
GODFREY — Edwardsville High School orchestra student Zachary Majors, a 10th grader, rode 150 miles over two days on September 6 and 7, 2025, to raise awareness and funds for people affected by multiple sclerosis. Majors began the Bike MS event at Lewis & Clark Community College’s Benjami...
GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel announced Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, it will cease processing steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois by November 2025, shifting operations to other facilities following the recent $15 billion acquisition by Japanese company Nippon Steel. The decision come...
ALTON — The Marquette Catholic girls' tennis team concluded its recent tournament with a 3-1 record, securing wins against Marion High School and Richwoods from Peoria before being eliminated in the first round by Waterloo High School. The Marquette Catholic tennis girls are Tucker's Automotive...
SPRINGFIELD/EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Alton High School’s girls tennis team showcased strong performances across two varsity tournaments this past weekend, competing in Springfield and Edwardsville with notable success. At the Sacred Heart Griffin Central Illinois Invite in Springfield on Saturday...
GODFREY — Mathew David Fields, a 37-year-old man from Godfrey, died this past Wednesday evening after being struck by a vehicle on Martin Luther King Boulevard, according to Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich. The incident occurred around 9:22 p.m. Sept. 3, 2025, approximately a hal...
BELLEVILLE — Three young Belleville area men were recently honored with the Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. Sultan Al-Uqdah Jr., 15, a sophomore at Althoff Catholic High School, and twins Khalil and Khalif Morehead, both longtime Scouts, received...
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Officers Cody Randolph and Slater McView graduated from the Police Academy on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, marking the beginning of their careers serving the community in Fairview Heights. Both Fairview Heights Police officers bring military experience to their new roles. Offic...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Human remains were discovered Monday morning, Sept. 8, 2025, in the 800 block of Strodtman Road, located within the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, prompting an ongoing investigation by the St. Louis County Police Department. Officers from the North County Precinct...
EAST ST. LOUIS — A team of eight dedicated staff members from East St. Louis School District 189 recently completed a weeklong Social Emotional Learning (SEL) training aimed at enhancing wellness and collaboration across the district’s schools. Known as the “PULSE 8 REGULATORS,”...
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