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.
BELLEVILLE - A 33-year-old woman from Mascoutah struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2025, on Green Mount Road near Eckert’s in Belleville has been identified, authorities said. Emily Johnson, who lived in the 500 block of Augusta Street in Mascoutah, was identified...
STAUNTON - Staunton High School student-athlete Payton Davis and scholar has distinguished herself through her participation in multiple sports and academic excellence, earning a nomination for Sports Illustrated Youth of the Year. She has competed in track, soccer, and volleyball, in addition to...
BRIGHTON — Amara, a 2-year-old toddler from Brighton, Illinois, is competing for the title of Toddler of the Year in an ongoing national contest. The competition, which involves multiple rounds of voting, is currently in its fourth round, set to conclude in the coming days. Amara must remain...
LEBANON, Ill. – McKendree University has announced that Caty (Ponce) Happe, of the Class of 2016 (basketball and softball), will be one of five individuals and one team who will be inducted into the 2025 Bearcat Sports Hall of Fame. Joining Happe are former student-athletes Matt Cole (Class...
GODFREY — Illinois American Water crews began emergency repairs Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2025, on Tomahawk Lane in Godfrey, prompting a boil water order for residents in the affected area. The repairs, related to fire hydrant maintenance, started at 8:30 a.m. and are expected to last approximatel...
EDWARDSVILLE – An approximately $700,000 improvement project is set to begin Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, to replace and upgrade the water main on Cass Avenue between North Kansas and North Buchanan streets. The project will include the installation of an 8-inch water main, replacing an older an...
EAST ST. LOUIS - The East St. Louis Flyers will face the Kankakee Kays in an exhibition scrimmage on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 6 p.m. The game will be held at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis, with tickets priced at $5 and available at the gate. This scrimmage provides fans an early chance...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved Griffin Crask-Weeks, a Collinsville High School senior, to serve as the student representative on the school board during its most recent meeting. Crask-Weeks previously participated as a student...
ST. LOUIS - The Department of Public Safety confirms the separation of Sarah Russell with the City of St. Louis as the Commissioner of the City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), effective Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. The City of St. Louis said: "In adherence to City Codes 4.15.010 and 4.15.020, which...
EAST ALTON - In Madison County, Illinois, a 46-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of child pornography following an investigation initiated by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced that John A....
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