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.
ALTON - Ameren Illinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch confirmed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, that 2,200 customers in the Alton-Godfrey vicinity were without power around 8:45 a.m. after a downed power line. Crews are in the process of re-routing impacted customers to offer electric sources, he said. "Crews...
GLEN CARBON - The Father McGivney Griffins track and field team set four school records and achieved multiple personal bests as they competed selectively against mainly 3A competition at the Collinsville Invite on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The Griffins' boys' team, coming off their Gateway Metro Conference...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A 29-year-old man from Shiloh died early Sunday morning, May 11, 2025, after his vehicle overturned and exploded into fire on an interstate exit ramp, authorities said. Jalal Hamed was pronounced dead at 7:06 a.m. on May 11, 2025, at the scene of the crash, the St. Clair Count...
ALTON — Alton Mayor David Goins visited La Bella of Alton on Monday, May 12, 2025, to read the proclamation marking the start of National Skilled Nursing Care Week, which runs through Friday, May 16, 2025. The annual event recognizes the dedication of skilled nursing care professionals. La...
COLLINSVILLE — Landon Harris scorched the track for a personal best performance in the 1,600 meters on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Collinsville Invite, finishing with a time of 4 minutes, 19.1 seconds to capture the event. Landon is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of Month for th...
COLLINSVILLE - Edwardsville's Cincere Ruffin ran one of the state's fastest times in the 200 meters this year, winning the event at 21.51 seconds, while Iose Epenesa won the discus throw in helping the Tigers win the team title in the Collinsville Invitational Saturday afternoon at Kahok Stadium....
EAST ST. LOUIS — Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus on I-64 eastbound near 25th Street in East St. Louis at approximately 12:24 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025. ISP said the bus, carrying 22 elementary school children, was involved in the collision...
GREENE COUNTY - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a fatal head-on collision on US-67 near Berdan Road, about two miles north of Carrollton in Greene County, at 1:02 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025. According to a preliminary investigation, ISP said a black Ford Fiesta crossed the center lane...
WASHINGTON PARK — A shooting outside the Club Compound on the 2200 block of Kingshighway in Washington Park, St. Clair County, early Monday, May 12, 2025, resulted in one death and a suspect being hospitalized, according to the Illinois State Police. At approximately 3:41 a.m. on May 12, 2025,...
ALTON - For a unique and successful blend of talents in band, theater and engineering, our most recent Remarkable Redbird, junior Wesley LeBrun, will be leading the way. Wesley said during a recent interview that "Alton High is a great school and he is proud to attend." Wesley has been...
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