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 - Kennedi Taylor has had an illustrious girls' tennis career at Father McGivney Catholic High School, but on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Alton Doubles Tournament at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, she secured her 100th win, a landmark accomplishment in high school tennis. Father McGivney Catholi...
O’FALLON, Ill. — At least nine fights and a shots-fired incident disrupted the City Fest in O'Fallon, IL., over the weekend, prompting multiple arrests and the temporary closure of nearby businesses, officials said Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. The disturbances occurred on Friday and Saturday...
GRANITE CITY - An electric contractor struck a gas line in Granite City on Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, leading to a service interruption for one customer but no explosion, Ameren Illinois said. The incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. on Aug. 25 in the 200 block of Ralph Street, according to Brian...
TROY - The Triad Knights performed well on both sides of the ball during Friday night, Aug. 22, 2025, scrimmage against Edwardsville at home, and Calvin Potthast was very happy with how things turned out. “I feel pretty good,” Potthast said. “We’ve got some stuff we’ve...
TROY – Both Edwardsville and Triad prepared for the season openers next week by competing in a week zero scrimmage on Friday night, Aug. 22, 2025, at Knights Stadium. No score was formerly kept, but unofficially, the Tigers won 13-7, as both teams scored on their opening possessions, an...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Emergency crews responded Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, to a reported explosion and fire that destroyed multiple homes in unincorporated north St. Louis County. According to Black Jack Fire Protection District, firefighters arrived around 9:15 a.m. to the 13800 block...
SWANSEA - The Swansea Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Bill Crispin, who was last seen on Aug. 23, 2025, at approximately 3 p.m. near the intersection of Frank Scott Parkway West and Illinois Route 159 in Swansea, Illinois. Officials say Crispin was on foot when h...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Juan C. Gonzalez-Anton, who faces a felony warrant for aggravated driving under the influence. The warrant stems from a traffic stop in May 2025, during which Gonzalez-Anton was found driving...
BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office is reviewing the hit-and-run crash in Belleville that occurred early Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2025, and information is expected to be released this upcoming week. Authorities located the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash in...
ALTON — Two vehicles collided at the intersection of Alton Square Drive and Homer Adams Parkway at 4:02 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, prompting immediate response from the Alton Police Department and Alton Fire Department. Officials reported that one person received treatment at the scene...
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