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.
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...
EDWARDSVILLE – For the first time, SIUE baseball will be the No. 1 seed in next week's Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship. The event will be held Tue.-Sat. at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois. As the regular season champion and the No. 1 seed, the Cougars will have a bye to Thursday....
EDWARDSVILLE - Madelyn Moore has been selected to receive a 2026 Illinois Sheriff’s Association Scholarship, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has announced. The Madison County Sheriff, Jeff Connor, said Moore was chosen as a scholarship recipient and cited her “hard...
GRAFTON - Runners will take to rarely used trails at Pere Marquette State Park early Saturday, May 16, 2026, as the inaugural Piasa Trail Races bring endurance events to Grafton's river bluffs. The Piasa Trail Races are scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at Pere Marquette State Park, with races beginning...
EDWARDSVILLE - Collinsville coach Matt Pomerantz said his Kahoks have “competed in every game” this spring in 2026, and the team will take a 10-16 overall record and 4-6 Southwestern Conference mark into a matchup on Friday, May 15, 2026, at home against Roxana. On May 18, the Kahoks trave...
EDWARDSVILLE - Nick Chiarodo had a two-run homer as part of a three-hit day at the plate, and Tony Eberlin struck out four in a complete game on the mound, as Edwardsville outright clinched the Southwestern Conference championship with a 5-0 win over Collinsville Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026,...
GODFREY - Widman Construction, working as a subcontractor for Brighton Water, is wrapping up a water main upgrade project on North Humbert Road and Straube Lane in Godfrey as of Friday, May 15, 2026, and will move next into the Tremont subdivision, where partial road and lane closures are expected...
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