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.
JERSEYVILLE - Jersey's girls softball team has been on a roll in recent games under head girls softball coach Chelsey Crnokrak, defeating highly regarded Carrollton 2-0 on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at home, then edging rival Civic Memorial on Monday and Triad. JERSEY 9, TRIAD 2: Jersey scored four...
TUESDAY, MAY 20 PLAY IT AGAIN GIRLS SPORTS ROUNDUP SOFTBALL IHSA PLAYOFFS CLASS 1A HARDIN CALHOUN 17, RAMSEY 0: Calhoun scored 15 runs in the first, then two more in the second to eliminate Ramsey in the semifinals of the Mulberry Grove regional. Layla Longnecker led...
O'FALLON - Edwardsville was the dominant team on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, as the Tigers captured the championship of the IHSA Class 3A boys sectional track meet, held at OTHS Panther Stadium in O'Fallon. The Tigers won with 120.5 points, with Belleville West coming in second with 72 points, Belleville...
MITCHELL - The Mitchell Fire Department assisted the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department in extinguishing a residential fire early Wednesday morning in Granite City. At approximately 3:01 a.m. on May 21, 2025, Mitchell Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 2100 block of Robert Avenue to provide...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City resident Karen Smith is organizing a fundraiser to support her family after a tornado severely damaged their home on Friday, May 16, 2025. The storm ripped the roof off the trailer where Smith lives with her six children in Granite City. Smith said they have not received...
ROXANA — Roxana High School will pursue a new athletic direction beginning with the 2026–27 school year after the Cahokia Conference voted to suspend the school’s membership during a meeting held Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The decision came during a joint meeting of principals and...
CARLINVILLE - Marquette Catholic’s girls soccer team captured its fifth consecutive Regional Championship and 17th overall with a 6-0 victory over Carlinville on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Carlinville. The No. 7-ranked Explorers will face No. 9 Quincy Notre Dame on Friday, May 23, 2025, in the...
CASEYVILLE — St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. confirmed Wednesday, May 21, 2025, that Kent P. Recklein, 67, of Caseyville, was pronounced dead at 2:14 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, following an incident involving a pit bull dog attack. St. Clair County Coroner Dye responded to a police...
ST. LOUIS — Jenna Eve Eschbach, PhD, of Saint Louis, was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Washington University in Saint Louis after successfully defending her research on April 2, 2025. Eschbach, originally from Jerseyville, conducted her doctoral research in the Laboratory of Dr...
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Senate convened Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for session in Springfield, where Senator Erica Harriss of the 56th District requested a moment of silence to honor those affected by recent tragedies in her district. Harriss addressed the Senate regarding an EF3 tornado...
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