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.
ST. LOUIS - A modified overnight curfew for juveniles in St. Louis’ Downtown and Downtown West neighborhoods was in effect this past weekend, with 40 juveniles detained for violations, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. City officials said the measure is intended to...
ST. LOUIS - A 17-year-old St. Louis boy was killed and two 16-year-old boys were wounded in a shooting just after midnight on Sunday, July 5, 2026, near North 21st Street and East Linton Avenue in the College Hill neighborhood, according to police. St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 6 officers...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Two men were killed and two other people were injured after a robbery led to a fight and gunfire late Sunday, July 5, 2026, in the 4300 block of North Hanley Road in St. Louis County, police said. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Transit Police...
WOOD RIVER - The City of Wood River and the Wood River Business Alliance said their first Fourth of July celebration drew a strong turnout Friday, July 3, 2026, at Belk Park, where residents and visitors gathered for live music, food, activities and a drone show marking America’s 250th....
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS/CASEYVILLE - At approximately 1:10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the Fairview Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from the attic of a residence in the 9600 block of Ridge Heights Road, where firefighters found flames near the roofline and quickly...
ALTON - Alton Mayor David Goins said feedback from the city’s Friday night, July 3, 2026, fireworks display in Alton has described it as “one of the best in many years.” The mayor said the city placed extra emphasis on the event because of America’s 250th anniversary. May...
ALTON - A lightning strike hit an abandoned boat at Alton Marina on the afternoon of Saturday, July 4, 2026, causing its mast to fall onto another derelict vessel, marina operator and general manager Rob Honke said. No one was hurt, and officials’ main concern now is salvage, Honke said....
EDWARDSVILLE - Nolan Pichee led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Auggie Landuyt came up with two hits and two RBIs, with both players being the catalysts as the Alton Post 126 junior American Legion baseball team came from behind with a nine-run seventh to defeat the Extreme Elite under-16...
ALTON - Thousands of people gathered in Downtown Alton on Friday night, July 3, 2026, for the city’s annual fireworks display, an event officials said was expanded for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration despite hot weather. The Annual Alton Fireworks display was part of a three-day...
PIASA - Zack Bean of the Southwestern Piasa Birds wrestling team was named an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month after what coaches described as a year of significant improvement, including a fourth-place finish at the IHSA 1A East Alton-Wood River Regional. Bean,...
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