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 COUNTY - St. Louis County prosecutors have charged two St. Louis men with first-degree murder and other felonies in the April 19 fatal shooting of a man closing his food truck in St. Louis County, authorities said Thursday. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office sai...
GILLESPIE - Gillespie's Chaz Oberkfell was right at home at the 1A Boys Track and Field Sectional competition on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. It showed in the final results as he qualified in three events for next weekend's Illinois State Track and Field Boys Meet. He was third in the 800 (2:00.18). Southwestern...
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran High's boys track and field team continued its prowess in competitions with a fourth-place finish in the Gillespie 1A Sectional Meet on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MELHS finished with 61 points for fourth place. Jack Shank was second for the Knights in the 1,600...
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic’s boys track and field team turned in a strong showing Wednesday, May 20, at the Gillespie 1A Boys Track and Field Sectional, finishing third in the team standings with 98 points and advancing multiple athletes and relays to the state meet in Charleston....
ALTON - The James Killion Beautification & Enhancement Committee is inviting the public to James Killion Day 2026 on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at James Killion Park for a pre-Memorial Day celebration honoring the legacy of James Killion Jr. and highlighting this year’s youth-focused theme, “It’s...
TRENTON - Red Bud used an early surge and a five-run fourth inning to defeat Piasa Southwestern 8-0 in a regional final at Trenton Wesclin in Trenton City Park on Thursday, May 21, 2026, eliminating the Piasa Birds and sending the Musketeers to the Nashville sectional. Red Bud scored three runs in...
HIGHLAND — Jersey rallied from an early deficit to defeat Triad 4-1 in the IHSA Class 3A regional final at Highland on Thursday, May 21, 2026, scoring three runs in the fourth inning and adding another in the sixth to claim the title and advance to the sectional. Triad took a 1-0 lead in...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County prosecutors have charged two teenagers in connection with a shooting that damaged multiple homes and vehicles, authorities said Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said May 20, 2026, that Malachi Lane, 19, of the...
GRAFTON — The 37th annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton on Illinois 100, offering free fishing, outdoor activities, and entertainment for families. “We want to get kids hooked on fishing,...
GODFREY - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies responded at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026, to a traffic collision on West Delmar Avenue just east of High Meadow Drive in Godfrey involving a passenger vehicle and an Illinois Department of Transportation mowing tractor, authorities said. When...
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