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.
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...
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Metropolitan Police on Monday, May 18, 2026, identified a man whose body was pulled from the Mississippi River last week as 20-year-old Antonio Arellano-Banda, 20. Arellano-Band's body was discovered along the riverbanks in the Carondelet neighborhood. The St. Louis...
O'FALLON - Edwardsville extended its grip on the Southwestern Conference boys tennis title, sweeping every flight of the league tournament May 15-16 at O’Fallon High School for the team championship. The Tigers finished with 12 wins in the six-team event, ahead of Belleville West and O’Fallon...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Metro East Lutheran High School graduating class, guided by the motto “Compete, Succeed, Conquer,” includes dozens of students recognized for academic honors and leadership, according to a list of graduates and class details released with the ceremony materials. The...
ALTON - Here is a list of all of our Class of 2026 Marquette Catholic High School graduates: Graduates. Ahne, Charles Allen, Makenzie Anselm, Abby Atkins, Eric Bagwill, Brianne Barnard, Corbin Bartlett-Nealeigh, Charlotte Bauer, Carson Beaber, Michael Belden, Andrew Bennett, Ashlynn Bequette, Cali...
BRIGHTON - At 1:17 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Brighton Fire Department responded to a reported attached garage fire in the vicinity of Cove Drive, where high winds contributed to rapid fire spread that hampered extinguishment efforts, according to the Brighton Betsey Ann Fire...
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department announced it has added a new K-9 to its ranks, introducing K9 Cyna and her handler, Officer Connor Diecker. The department said K9 Cyna is the newest member of the “Collinsville Police Department family,” and noted that he...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Jersey baseball Panthers have had an excellent season in spring 2026 and are one win away from 20 victories on the season. Jersey lost to Edwardsville in eight innings by a 6-5 close loss on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Edwardsville. The Panthers fell to 19-11 on the season, which...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the graduation of three recruits from the Southwestern Illinois College Correctional Officer Academy, Session 136, marking their transition from classroom instruction to field training in jail operations. The sheriff’s...
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