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.
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Edwardsville’s Sophie Shapiro came back from the 2025 USATF National Junior Olympics Track and Field Championships with All-American status. Shapiro was fourth in the 400-meter hurdles prelims race with a time of 1:02.48 at the USATF Meet and eighth in the finals with a time...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department announced Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, that multiple reports of a man believed to be a missing person, Josh Amos in the Collinsville area have been investigated, but the individual encountered was not Amos. The Collinsville Police Department...
ROXANA - Wyatt Doyle of Roxana, a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for Roxana, recently completed an outstanding high school track and field and cross country career. Doyle, who has committed to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), earned the recognition following...
ROXANA — Incoming sophomore Paityn Lucas has emerged as a standout freshman athlete in Roxana High School’s girls track and field program this season, tying the school’s pole vault record in 2025 at 6 feet 6 inches alongside teammate Bailey Schallenberg-Decker. Julie Akal, the...
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Alton's Rayna Raglin, a 17-year-old track and field sensation, has demonstrated remarkable endurance and skill recently at the USATF Junior Olympics National track and field meet in Savannah, Ga. Raglin, competing in the 17-18 age division, earned All-American status in three...
EDWARDSVILLE - These are three artists who will be featured at the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair on Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Today's featured artists are: Brady Kesner, Pary Flynn, and Sarah Skiold-Hanlin. Artist #1: Brady Kesner Medium: Photography Artist Statement...
BELLEVILLE - Tera and Fredrick Mothersell are organizing a fundraiser to support their 12-year-old son, Richard, as he battles bone cancer for the second time along with leukemia. The fundraiser aims to help cover medical bills, gas, and other expenses related to Richard’s ongoing treatment,...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, released information about this week’s fugitive, Benjamin Murden, wanted in connection with a theft at a local Walmart. According to the department, Murden is accused of taking merchandise valued at over $300 withou...
ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Department of Revenue announced that the state’s 2025 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will take place from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. During this period, all state and local sales and use taxes on qualifying back-to-school items will be...
WASHINGTON PARK, Ill. — Authorities responded early Thursday morning, July 31, 2025, to a fatal shooting in the Metro East, where a 46-year-old man was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Police were called to a residence in the 5000 block of Warren Avenue near Kingshighway in Washington...
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