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/EDWARDSVILLE - A powerful storm system is expected to impact the region this evening, with the National Weather Service warning of a moderate risk for severe weather, including the possibility of tornadoes and high winds. The storm is anticipated to arrive in western St. Louis around 9 p.m.,...
COLUMBIA, Ill. — The Columbia Police Department announced on March 14, 2025, that a woman previously known only as Jane Doe has been identified as Carol Hemphill, nearly 23 years after her remains were discovered in a creek bed along Illinois Route 3. The skeletal remains were found on March...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Charges have been filed against Jessica Przygoda, a 34-year-old resident of Edwardsville, in connection with a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred on Aug. 23, 2024, on Meramec Station Road in St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced...
TROY – Drew Winslow recently concluded a tremendous boys' basketball career for Triad High School. Now, he prepares for the baseball season where he will be one of the region's top pitching prospects. In a tightly contested game, the Triad basketball team fell to Chatham Glenwood 43-41 on...
EDWARDSVIILE – Daniel Gierer's base hit past a drawn-in infield capped off a four-run ninth inning and gave SIUE baseball a 12-11 walk-off win over Evansville at Simmons Baseball Complex Wednesday. Gierer is a Father McGivney Catholic High School graduate. With SIUE trailing 11-8 going...
ALTON - Alton High School has announced the hiring of Carsen Freeman as the head boys' volleyball coach, effective for the spring season of 2025. Freeman, a 2019 graduate of Alton High School, has a longstanding connection to the sport and the institution, having been a student-athlete for the Redbirds...
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Empty Bowl, serving 4.5 gallons of chicken taco soup among a selection of over 20 soups to benefit the Collinsville Food Pantry. Additionally, during the event, Board President Bob Uhrig and Vice President Derek Johnso...
ST. LOUIS - Residents in the area should prepare for potentially severe thunderstorms on Friday, March 14, 2025, as the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm risk warning. The storms are expected to bring widespread damaging winds, with gusts exceeding 70 mph possible, according...
ALTON – The Alton Police Department is currently investigating a burglary that took place at Funky Cards and Collectibles shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Officers responded to a report of a broken window at the store, located at 104 W 3rd Street. Upon their arrival, officers...
WOOD RIVER — Camden Seibert, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for his dedication to baseball, a sport he has played for approximately 10 years. Seibert, who has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic both in athletics and academics, attributes much o...
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