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.
EAST ST. LOUIS - The investigation into the gruesome murder this past weekend of five people in East St. Louis continues. Authorities in East St. Louis identified five family members killed in what investigators described as a targeted mass shooting as prosecutors filed murder and other felony charges...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said Wednesday, July 15, 2026, that retired K9 Jax has died, marking the loss of what the department described as “a true member of our family.” Jax died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones, according to a department statement o...
ALTON - Multiple law enforcement agencies converged on a dead end of Leonard Street in Alton late Wednesday, July 15, 2026, into early Thursday, July 16, 2026, responding overnight to a barricaded-suspect incident centered at a house. A command post was established at Mark Twain Elementary School,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Incoming sophomore Jake Brinker delivered a freshman standout season for the Edwardsville High School boys tennis team this past spring, winning the individual sectional championship and turning in a strong performance at the state tournament. Brinker's head boys tennis coach says...
EDWARDSVILLE - Several appointments, zoning measures and an advisory question on voter identification were approved at a Madison County Board meeting in Edwardsville, where board members also honored three high school state champions. The board recognized Triad’s Sophia Schardan for winning...
WOOD RIVER - Jordyn Spiller, a 6-foot-3 senior for the East Alton-Wood River High School Oilers, is viewed as one of the team's top prospects heading into the 2026-2027 school year. He scored a season-best 31 points on Feb. 10, 2026, to help his team defeat Mt. Olive 62-48 at EA-WR High, offering...
ALTON - Alton High boys tennis player Carter Hanebutt, who will be a junior for the 2026-2027 school year, earned praise from coach Jesse Macias after playing No. 1 singles as a sophomore and continuing a run of All-Southwestern Conference honors in each of his first two high school seasons. Hanebutt...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE - St. Louis County Police have identified a man found dead Tuesday, July 14, 2026, on a ledge along a bluff near a shopping center in Fenton as 62-year-old Grant Reece of Union, Missouri. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s City of Fenton Precinct...
EDWARDSVILLE/GRANITE CITY - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies took an attempted murder suspect into custody Monday night after investigators said he intentionally struck a pedestrian with a vehicle in unincorporated Granite City, Illinois, then returned to the area in a different vehicle...
ALTON - Incoming sophomore Eliza Boatman created quite an awakening this past spring in outdoor track and field for Marquette Catholic High School. Boatman recorded a personal best in the 100-meter hurdles, taking the Gateway Metro Track and Field Championships title with a time of 17.16 in the spring....
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