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.
SHILOH - Officials broke ground Monday, June 29, 2026, on a new Shiloh Police Department headquarters in Shiloh, Illinois, a $10.5 million project that local and state leaders said is intended to expand space for officers and improve public safety services in the community. The ceremonial...
GODFREY - Community Christmas organizers are seeking help selling raffle tickets and promoting upcoming dine-to-donate events ahead of the annual Christmas in July fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at Freer Auto Body in Godfrey. Margaret Freer, one of the Freer Auto Body owners, sai...
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man who was found with multiple gunshot wounds Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, inside a business in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis. Police said officers were called at about...
FERGUSON, MO. - A woman who was at a Ferguson, Mo., gas station with two of her children was struck and killed by crossfire late Tuesday night, June 30, 2026, after an argument inside the store escalated into gunfire outside, the Ferguson Police Department said Wednesday, July 1, 2026. A man also wa...
TROY - Head Coach Bill Lawrence recently announced his retirement at the Triad Trap Team banquet at the Edwardsville Gun Club, and he drew a standing ovation from students, parents, coaches, alumni and supporters as the program recognized his eight seasons of service. The retirement recognition...
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - An Illinois law led by state Sen. Cristina Castro will permanently allow cocktails to-go and create a new path for small distilleries to self-distribute spirits, after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 618 into law Friday. The measure takes effect July 1, 2026. The law makes...
BUNKER HILL — Kinzie Whitlock of Carrollton High School shot a 91 out of 100 with a reverse run of 3 to win Class 1A girls junior varsity honors at the Illinois State Trap Shooters State Championships at Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill. Whitlock also finished first in High Gun...
BUNKER HILL — Raelynn Seivers and Carson Seivers led several athletes from the Golden Eagle Youth Trap Team, who matched or surpassed their personal best scores and recorded multiple 25-straight rounds during the Illinois State High School Clay Target League 2A Trap Tournament recently...
BUNKER HILL — The Greenfield Trap Team won its second consecutive championship recently at the Illinois State High School Clay 1A Target League State Tournament at Bunker Hill, and team member Owen Rives placed first overall with a perfect score of 100. “Congratulations to...
BUNKER HILL - The Edwardsville High School Tigers Trap Club varsity squad placed second in the Senior/Varsity Class at the Illinois State Shoot recently at Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill, team officials said, posting a team score of 951 in a performance officials praised as the result o...
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