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.
FERGUSON, MO. - A local family is grieving after a beloved mother was shot and killed in Ferguson, Mo., on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after getting caught in crossfire at a BP gas station. The loved ones of 35-year-old Shakeela Martin, identified as the victim, are now turning to the community for help....
NASHVILLE, Ill. — A Nashville Community High School baseball coach and local teacher, Chad E. Malawy, was charged in Washington County Circuit Court after an investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Nashville Police Department into alleged sex crimes, authorities...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Munyaradzi Chiturumani has been taken into custody without incident, authorities said, after St. Louis County Police investigated a child abduction and stabbing tied to a domestic incident Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in the 1400 block of Shadycreek Court. The St. Louis County Police...
EDWARDSVILLE — Staunton, coming off a 29-4 season in 2025-26 under head coach Ty Laux, competed well in the first game of the event for both teams and continued a strong summer stretch. The Bulldogs should be one of the area's most formidable foes in the 2026-2027 campaign. Staunton opened th...
BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District No. 8 announced that Mary Jo Burson, a third-grade teacher at Parkside, was selected for a grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation to support hands-on learning experiences in her classroom. The district said...
PIASA - Vivian Zurheide, a Southwestern High School senior and standout three-sport athlete, was named an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for her most recent performances on a softball field. Zurheide recently concluded her softball career at Southwestern with...
O'FALLON, Mo. — O'Fallon, Mo., Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon, June 30, 2026, on the Winghaven exit ramp from westbound Interstate 64 after what authorities described as an apparent road rage incident between two drivers. The victim has been identified...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Detective Lee Bazzell its Officer of the Month for April 2026 after his work on a shooting investigation helped lead to the arrest and charging of two suspects within days, according to the department. In April 2026, Bazzell responded to assis...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Municipal Band will move its Thursday, July 2, 2026, concert to the Edwardsville High School Auditorium at 6161 Center Grove Road because of projected heat, while keeping its 7:30 p.m. start time and concession plans in place, the City of Edwardsville said on Wednesday,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine is urging retailers and families in Illinois to take note of a new state law that immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people younger than 21. The law, Senate Bill 3222, was recently signed in Illinois and applies...
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