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 - 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...
WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells, joined by Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup and Councilman Scott Tweedy, recently took part in an initial cleanup of a one-mile stretch at a key entry point into the city, partnering with local volunteer Rusty Wheat as part of a broader highway trash cleanup...
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 recognized West Elementary crossing guard Kenny Pohlman on School Crossing Guard Day on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, thanking him for his work helping students get to school safely daily. In a statement, the Jersey Community Unit School...
GRANITE CITY - After a year-long review of new ground survey data and aerial imagery, the National Weather Service office in St. Louis has updated its damage assessment of the May 16, 2025, tornado event in the St. Louis metropolitan area, concluding that two tornadoes occurred and that the primary...
GRANITE CITY/GLEN CARBON — Drivers across the Metro East region received a brief break from Monday’s heavy rain Tuesday morning, but forecasters said more stormy weather is expected later in the day and evening, including the potential for thunderstorms, lightning, and hail. The Metro...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - St. Clair County animal shelter officials and volunteers relocated dozens of animals as severe storms and the threat of flash flooding on Monday, May 18, 2026, raised concerns that rising water could overtake the facility, according to county officials and the shelter...
HARDIN — Repairs began Monday, May 18, 2026, on the Joe Page Bridge in Hardin, with two-way traffic maintained by temporary signals. IDOT said construction is projected to be completed by June 30, 2027. “IDOT is investing $22 million to maintain the bridge in a state of good repair,”...
EDWARDSVILLE - The University of Illinois Extension’s Madison County 4-H is recognizing senior Karlie Knebel as the school year comes to an end, highlighting her experiences in the youth program and her plans to attend Murray State University to study animal and equine science....
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mike Bost welcomed a group of St. Clair County police officers to Washington during National Police Week, including Fairview Heights Police Officer Molly Muennich, whom he described as having been shot in the line of duty last May and was honored at the U.S. Capitol. Bos...
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