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.
ALTON - Madison Avenue in Alton is closed to through traffic between Belle Street and Gesche Street through Monday, June 15, 2026, for street repairs by Burns & Gillihan, contractors for the City of Alton, according to a road closure notice. The closure began on June 10, 2026, and affects Madison...
ALTON — The Alton City Council on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, rescinded the appointment of Human Relations Director Sonya Bailey, and the action took effect immediately. Alton Mayor David Goins confirmed that Bailey’s appointment had been “rescinded” but said he could not provid...
ALTON - A motorcyclist crashed into the back of a vehicle Thursday afternoon, June 11, 2026, at East Broadway and East Landmarks Boulevard in Alton, sending the motorcycle to the ground. Still, no major injuries were reported, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. The collision happened on June...
WOOD RIVER - Cameron Thornton, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been recognized as Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for soccer after what he described as building strong connections with teammates on and off the field and maintaining his focus on faith, family,...
EAST ST. LOUIS/BELLEVILLE - Illinois State Police said Friday that special agents arrested two East St. Louis men on first-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Belleville man last week in East St. Louis. The agency said 18-year-old Rashad M. Bonner and...
HIGHLAND - A semi truck and trailer hauling candles and perfume caught fire on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, on Interstate 70 near the 32-mile marker in Highland, shutting down the interstate for more than two hours as multiple fire departments responded, according to the Highland-Pierron Fire Department....
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles signed edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, an Edwardsville native, and offensive guard Michael Jordan on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, after the second day of the team’s mandatory minicamp, while waiving linebackers Chandler Martin and Isiah King and releasing edge...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 36-year-old Villa Ridge man was killed, and a 56-year-old High Ridge man was injured Tuesday afternoon, June 9, 2026, in a two-vehicle crash on southbound Missouri 109 south of Niehoff Drive in St. Louis County, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. The...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man whose partial human remains were found in South St. Louis County in 2021, authorities said Tuesday, June 9, 2026, after an artist’s rendering of the deceased was completed. The remains...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Parks and Recreation has announced it recently received a report of an invasive hammerhead worm at Cliff Cave Park in St. Louis County, warning visitors that the flatworm can harm the local ecosystem and pose risks to people and pets. The hammerhead worm, originally...
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