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.
A ALTON - The River Dragons opened a four-game homestand with a 14-8 loss to the Thrillville Thrillbillies, falling at home ahead of a rematch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026. Thrillville handed the River Dragons their first loss of the four straight home games, with Alton set t...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating several suspects wanted in connection with an assault and stabbing that injured a 32-year-old man late July 19, 2026, in the Carr Square neighborhood. District 4 detectives with the St. Louis...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A St. Louis man has been charged in the fatal shooting of two men during the aftermath of an armed robbery earlier this month near North Hanley Road in St. Louis County, authorities said Thursday, July 23, 2026. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Makel...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Lt. Emily Hejna its Officer of the Month for May 2026 after officials said she helped peacefully resolve a mental health crisis on May 26, 2026, in Downtown Alton. According to the department, officers responded that day to a report of a man experiencing...
JERSEYVILLE - Ashley DeSherlia of Jerseyville has been named to the Blackburn College Dean’s List for the Spring 2026 semester after earning a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher, the college announced. She has also been a leader in Blackburn College's nationally recognized Work Program. Found...
EDWARDSVILLE - Brandon Wong will continue his tennis career at Illinois Wesleyan University after a high school career at Edwardsville in which he became a four-time letter winner with more than 100 career victories and earned top conference honors. Wong is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month....
ALTON — Alton youth will head to Skateway Roller Skating Rink on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, as part of the city’s summer road-trip program led by community leaders Rosetta Brown and Tammy Perry. Organizers announced the upcoming excursion as the next event in the annual youth tradition, which...
PIASA - Kaden Matuska of Southwestern won Macoupin County championships in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles on May 7, 2026, highlighting a strong season in hurdle events and multiple relay appearances. The county titles came as Matuska completed his junior season...
ST. LOUIS - A man was injured in a shooting late Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in St. Louis’ Academy neighborhood, and a 27-year-old man was arrested as St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 officers investigate what police said likely stemmed from an earlier disagreement. The shooting happened...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School basketball player Mia Semith has signed to play at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she will continue her career after becoming one of the top players in the program’s history. Semith is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month. Semith, who...
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