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.
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will hold a memorial service honoring pianist Ruth Slenczynska Kerr at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, in the Dunham Hall Theater at Katherine Dunham Hall, 50 Hairpin Drive, Edwardsville, Illinois. The service will feature recorded performances,...
EAST ST. LOUIS - A Granite City man was sentenced in federal court in East St. Louis to 175 months in prison after admitting he transported a minor across state lines in April 2022 and sexually assaulted the victim, according to court documents. Jeremy Wallace, 39, formerly of Granite City, pleaded...
GRAFTON — Grafton Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church is holding a community fish fry fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at 20165 State Highway 3 as it works to raise money for a new youth center, Pastor Tom Foster said. The fundraiser supports the church’s effort...
ST. LOUIS - A 28-year-old St. Louis man was found fatally shot inside a residence in the College Hill neighborhood on July 12, 2026, and homicide detectives later arrested a 26-year-old St. Louis man in the case, according to an update released Friday, July 17, 2026. Police said officers were called...
ST. LOUIS - A 36-year-old man died after a shooting Thursday afternoon, July 16, 2026, in the 4100 block of North Grand, where St. Louis District 4 officers responded around 1:45 p.m., police said. Officers arrived July 16 and found the man shot, barely conscious and barely breathing, according t...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Police said a 19-year-old man died and another 19-year-old was critically injured after a shooting in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood early July 16, and a 39-year-old man has been charged in the case. St. Louis District 2 officers were called just before 4:30 a.m. Thursday,...
SHILOH - Shiloh Police said two East St. Louis residents were charged Thursday, July 16, 2026, in connection with an attempted armed robbery at a Commerce Bank in Shiloh earlier this week. The warrants, issued July 16 by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, charge Jahvaris...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 255 just south of Interstate 64 at about 2:49 p.m. on July 16, 2026, authorities said. One driver died from injuries suffered in the crash, ISP said later on Thursday. A preliminary investigation indicates...
ALTON - Alton Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting early Thursday, July 16, 2026, in the 600 block of Leonard Street after officers found one gunshot victim dead inside a residence and the suspect also dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Alton Police reported. Dakotah Ingram, who...
GODFREY - Marli Nixon has been appointed human resource director for the Village of Godfrey, replacing retiring director Mark Cappel. In her new role, Nixon will oversee the village’s human resource activities, including recruitment, retention, compensation, benefits, employee records, human...
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