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.
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Members of the Jerseyville FFA chapter were honored June 9-11, 2026, at the 98th annual Illinois State FFA Convention in Springfield, Illinois, where more than 5,000 FFA members, advisers and guests gathered for the three-day event themed “Sparking Your Future.” The...
ST. LOUIS - A sinkhole near Interstate 44 and North Broadway in downtown St. Louis continued to disrupt traffic Sunday, June 14, 2026, as the City of St. Louis and partner agencies, including the Missouri Department of Transportation, responded ahead of the Monday morning commute. In an update issued...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified the man killed in a shooting Friday night in the 10100 block of Winkler Drive as Grady Rhodes, 44, of the 10200 block of Green Valley Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63136. The St. Louis County Police Department said in a release dated June 13...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police said Sunday, June 14, 2026, that officers arrested 24 people and filed 40 criminal charges during a violent crime suppression detail conducted June 11-12, 2026, in St. Clair and Madison counties, with a focus on East St. Louis and nearby Metro East communities....
ST. LOUIS - No injuries were reported after multiple water main breaks triggered sinkholes near Interstate 70 and The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis on Saturday, June 13, 2026, prompting major road closures downtown and in the near-north area, according to the St. Louis...
EDWARDSVILLE/ALTON - A 19-year-old Alton man has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with a shooting toward an Alton school bus, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Friday, June 12, 2026,...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Officer Lane Lawson its Officer of the Month for March 2026, citing his proactive police work, assistance in a multistate suspect apprehension, and recognition for community service in Alton. The department announced the recognition for Lawson’s...
HARDIN - Illinois American Water has issued an immediate boil water order for about 400 direct water customers in the Village of Hardin because of improvements at the village’s water treatment plant. Customers should bring tap water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using it for drinking...
O'FALLON, Ill. - A 51-year-old O’Fallon, Ill. man pleaded guilty Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in St. Clair County Court to involuntary manslaughter and obstructing justice in connection with the 2023 death of 31-year-old Allison Hartmire of O’Fallon, according to the O’Fallon...
EDWARDSVILLE - Retired Hall of Fame high school football coach Dave Jacobs is applying the same program-building approach that shaped teams in New Berlin, Illiopolis, Rochester, Champaign Central, Jersey, and Alton as manager of the On the Hill Golf Course at American Legion Post 199 in Edwardsville,...
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