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 announced that Shea Guinn has been named one of the 2026 Young Philanthropist Award recipients by the Glennon Guild Junior Board, recognizing her leadership in school service efforts that benefited people in need. The school said Guinn...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Miranda May is grieving the loss of her mother, grandmother, and brother after a targeted mass shooting this past weekend left five people dead and at least two others wounded, according to Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department. Authorities said the victims...
ALTON - Lydia Schrumpf has been named The Eardley Agency, LLC, Female Athlete of the Month for the Alton Redbirds, following a junior tennis season in which she posted a 23-16 overall record and earned Southwestern Conference All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors in 2025. She is expected...
MITCHELL - Illinois State Police said one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Friday evening on northbound Illinois 255 near Gateway Commerce in Mitchell, prompting a temporary lane closure during the investigation. The crash happened at about 7:55 p.m. July 10, 2026, in Madison County, according...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville advanced multiple players to the IHSA 2A State Boys Tennis tournament after winning a sectional title, and its competitors also had strong outings in singles and doubles play during state tournament action. The Tigers were represented at state in singles by Jake Brinker...
SOUTH COUNTY ST. LOUIS - Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 7:17 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026, to a call for service for a motor vehicle crash, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. When officers arrived, they found that an SUV and a motorcycle had been involved...
STEELVILLE, MO. - Around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, staff at Huzzah Valley Resort in Steelville, Mo., evacuated more than 150 campground guests after a flash flood warning and record flooding that damaged parts of the property, including the resort store, according to updates...
GRANITE CITY - A 62-year-old man from the Bridgeton, Mo. area died early Saturday, July 11, 2026, after he was electrocuted while working on a malfunctioning transformer during a storm at the U.S. Steel Mill Cold Plant in Granite City, according to Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich. The...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide after a 43-year-old man was fatally shot Saturday night, July 11, 2026, in the 2100 block of Empire Court, authorities said. The victim was identified as Darren Henderson, 43, of the 2100 block of Empire Court in St. Louis,...
BELLEVILLE - Illinois State Police said one person was killed and five others were injured in a four-vehicle crash Sunday evening, July 12, 2026, on Illinois 13 south of Red Ray Mine Road. The crash happened at approximately 6:40 p.m. July 12, 2026, according to preliminary information from ISP Troop...
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