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.
GLEN CARBON — A fire broke out overnight at an apartment building under construction off Meridian Road in Glen Carbon on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, prompting multiple fire departments to respond to the scene. The blaze caused heavy fire damage to the apartments under construction. The Glen...
GODFREY - In the late evening of Saturday, April 26, 2025, Madison County Sheriff's Deputies responded to Tony's Ranch House located in the 3300 block of Godfrey Road, Godfrey, in regard to the discovery of a possible human foot near the parking lot. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido...
CHATHAM — Four people, including three children, were killed Monday afternoon when a vehicle left the road and crashed into the YNOT After School Camp in Chatham, the Illinois State Police said Tuesday. At approximately 3:20 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, a car traveling through a field struck...
GLEN CARBON — Elena Rybak of Father McGivney Catholic High School is setting records and establishing times in middle and long-distance running that are expected to stand for years in the region. The standout athlete has already secured multiple state championships and is poised for continued...
EDWARDSVILLE — Sophie Shapiro, a sophomore at Edwardsville High School, has emerged as one of the area's premier athletes in track and field in 2025, capturing first place in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles at the Edwardsville Invite held recently. Shapiro posted a personal record of 14.1...
ALTON - Alton's boys tennis team continues to improve under Coach Jesse Macias and this past weekend, they achieved the biggest accomplishment of the season. Alton High School captured the championship in the Nadal division at the JD Sinnock Springfield Invitational on Saturday, April 26, 2025,...
EDWARDSVILLE A woman was airlifted to a St. Louis-area hospital after her vehicle flipped down a steep embankment near a bike trail on Illinois Route 157 on Monday afternoon, April 28, 2025, just north of Gephardt Lane in Edwardsville. Edwardsville Fire Chief Brendan McKee said the woman’s...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City Police arrested Donte T. Pryor Sr. on April 24, 2025, following a home invasion and kidnapping incident that led to a vehicle pursuit ending in a crash in St. Charles County, Mo. At approximately 6:39 p.m. on Thursday, officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Edison...
EAST ALTON - After an extensive investigation by the East Alton Police Department, Jessica A. Wyatt, 44, was charged with multiple counts of identity theft and deceptive practices, the Madison County State’s Attorney's Office announced. Wyatt faces four counts of aggravated identity theft fo...
Facebook video link is here. LOUISVILLE, KY. - On Saturday, April 26, 2025, my daughter, Savannah Brannan, posted perhaps her greatest running accomplishment - topping 3 hours for a 26.2-mile marathon, an incredible feat. Savannah, 26, set this goal a while back and I hoped she would get i...
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