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.
MADISON COUNTY - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a three-vehicle crash with reported injuries on the southbound Interstate 255 at Gateway Commerce Drive in Madison County at about 3:32 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The three-vehicle crash shut down all southbound lanes, and the ISP diverted...
GLEN CARBON - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to a serious crash involving an overturned commercial vehicle on Interstate 255 southbound south of Interstate 270 in Madison County near Glen Carbon at approximately 1:36 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. ISP reported injuries in the crash, according...
TRENTON, Ill. — A 59-year-old man identified as David Jordan died after being struck by a vehicle late Tuesday in the 200 block of Wesclin Road in rural Trenton, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office. At 11:51 p.m. Tuesday, May...
GODFREY/HAMEL - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, after a pursuit that crossed multiple jurisdictions and ended at the Love’s Truck Stop in Hamel, Illinois, where authorities said the suspect fled on foot, attempted to hijack an occupied...
EAST ST. LOUIS - Even as a champion in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has not forgotten his hometown roots. NBA player Jayson Tatum visited Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 recently, where he met with student-athletes, spent time...
JERSEYVILLE — Students in an Intro to Design class at Jersey Community High School took part in a county fair simulation, an activity their teacher hopes will build interest in the Jersey County Fair Exhibition in July 2026. Kyrie Pfleger was named Grand Champion, and Maleah Derric...
MARINE - Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, identified a 24-year-old Marine man who died after being struck by a vehicle early in the morning along Illinois State Route 4. The man was identified as Tyler C. Robinson, 24, of Marine. Robinson was found alongside the...
JERSEYVILLE — Jerseyville’s Memorial Day ceremony will be held Monday, May 25, 2026, with Jerseyville’s Veterans of Foreign Wars 4528 hosting, according to the Veterans Assistance Commission of Jersey County. The day will begin with a parade at 9 a.m. Monday on West Prairie Street...
ALTON - Alton High School’s Class of 2026 received their diplomas after inspiring student speeches and musical performances on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The presentation of diplomas was done by the Alton Community Unit School District No. 11 Board of Education. The ceremony was led by Alton Hig...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Police Officer First Class Burford its Officer of the Month for February 2026 after an investigation that began with a reported retail theft at Bath & Body Works on Homer Adams Parkway and expanded into what the department described as a “large-scale...
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