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.
EDWARDSVILLE - Front access has been restored within the construction zone in the 100 block of North Main Street in Edwardsville, the City of Edwardsville announced in a project update, marking a milestone in a major infrastructure project that still has significant work to be done. The...
WATERLOO - A search was underway Friday morning, July 10, 2026, in Monroe County, Ill., for a possible plane crash reported south of Waterloo, with local, state and federal authorities working to determine the aircraft’s last known location. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Two people are in custody after a child’s remains were found buried Wednesday in a wooded area in Stookey Township outside Belleville, Illinois, in a case authorities said is believed to be connected to a parental kidnapping investigation involving St. Louis Police and Desloge...
ALTON - Ashley Trail, a 24-year-old Alton native, is set to appear on the 90-minute season premiere of CBS' "Big Brother" on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central Time, as one of the first 14 houseguests introduced by host Julie Chen Moonves. Trail was born and raised in Alton and now lives in...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, that it is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies in a statewide enforcement effort to reduce speeding and improve traffic safety. Throughout...
JACKSONVILLE — Illinois College has named alumnus Dylan Dudley, a former Blueboys player and Hall of Fame team member, as its new men’s basketball coach, Director of Athletics Meghan Roman has announced. Dudley returns to Illinois College, his alma mater, after more than two decades...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Investigators with the Desloge, Mo., Police Department discovered remains believed to be those of a small child while executing a search warrant July 8, 2026, in Stookey Township, Ill., authorities said, in a case that began with a parental kidnapping report filed last month. Th...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, announced the addition of Deputy Jadden Smith, who was sworn in Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and will begin field training immediately. The sheriff’s office said Smith is its newest deputy and comes...
MEADOWBROOK - A group of seven Southwestern Illinois College students in the CEJA (Climate and Equitable Jobs Act) program recently constructed a new front porch at the home of veteran Dave Stout in Meadowbrook, providing hands-on training for the students and a new porch for a longtime member of...
GRANITE CITY - DOUBLE00 Vodka is set to make its official debut at 7 p.m. in Granite City on Saturday, July 11, 2026, when founder Darryl Gill introduces the brand at Nick’s Bar & Grill in what he described as the product’s first official pour. The launch event is scheduled for 7 p.m....
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