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 - Father McGivney Catholic High School said it is celebrating alumnus Seaman Parker Blanchette, a member of the class of 2026, after he graduated from U.S. Coast Guard Basic Training on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Cape May, New Jersey. The school announced that Blanchette...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified the motorcyclist killed in a crash Monday morning, July 13, 2026, on Lemay Ferry Road as Matthew Middeke, 48, of New Baden, Illinois. The St. Louis County Police Department said officers from the South County Precinct responded at 7:17 a.m....
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating people wanted for questioning in connection with a June 19 shooting in St. Louis’ Wells/Goodfellow neighborhood that left a 22-year-old man wounded, authorities said...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Cross-River Crime Task Force seized illegal firearms and narcotics and made numerous arrests during a countywide deployment Friday, July 10, 2026, in Madison County, authorities said, as officers from multiple local agencies worked alongside state and federal partners. Among th...
BETHALTO - Residents approaching retirement or already retired will have an opportunity Aug. 6, 2026, in Bethalto to hear from local professionals about how retirement income, Social Security, health care, taxes, investments and estate planning work together during a free workshop hosted by Bill...
ALTON - Sam’s Pawn Shop, a family-owned business at 208 E. Broadway in Alton, is closing after 35 years in business, with its final day set for Aug. 1, 2026, as the owners move toward an online-only business model, according to information provided by the shop. The closing sale includes...
EAST ST. LOUIS - One teenager has been charged as an adult for the murder of five individuals in East St. Louis this past weekend. A 16-year-old has been charged as an adult in connection with the killings of five people and the shootings of two others this past weekend in East St. Louis, according...
GRANITE CITY - Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson said he is excited for Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive to pass through Granite City on Saturday, July 18, 2026, as the historic engine travels back to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The locomotive, the only operational survivor...
EDWARDSVILLE — Metro-East Lutheran High School graduate Lucas Lorenz has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, marking his next step after a high school career that included varsity basketball, volleyball and golf. Lorenz was a multi-sport athlete during high school....
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 1 officers are seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating a man and vehicle connected to a July 2, 2026, robbery at a restaurant in St. Louis’ Southampton neighborhood, where a 65-year-old man was injured, according to authorities....
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