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, Mo. — The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Monday charged Christian Watkins, 23, of the 9700 block of Winkler Drive in St. Louis, in connection with a May 31, 2026, shooting on Sapphire Avenue that authorities said involved gunfire at a car and left...
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 announced late last week that the Class of 2026, made up of 275 seniors, has earned an astonishing $20 million in college scholarships because of the class's academic and career achievements. The East St. Louis School District said...
WOOD RIVER — Allison Layton of Wood River, a recent graduate of East Alton-Wood River High School, has enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard, according to her mother, Monica Layton. Layton holds the rank of E1, her mother said, as she begins her Army service time. Monica Layton said...
GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic fell to Breese Central 10-4 on Saturday, May 30, 2026, ending its season with a 27-10 overall record and an 8-0 championship mark. Breese Central moved on to the Greenville Sectional semifinal, where it will face Effingham St. Anthony at 2 p.m. Wednesday,...
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said Friday afternoon, May 29, 2026, that a search and rescue operation in Belleville’s Signal Hill neighborhood for missing 64-year-old Douglas “Scott” Litsey has concluded for now without locating him...
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Gov. JB Pritzker said he plans to sign legislation approved Sunday by Illinois lawmakers that would prohibit students from using cellphones during school hours, backing a statewide “bell-to-bell” policy that supporters said is intended to keep students engaged i...
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025. Area counties' harvest totals increased throughout the region in 2026. The comparison totals i...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School’s baseball team won its 19th regional championship in program history Saturday, May 30, 2026, defeating Gillespie 6-4 in the IHSA 2A Gillespie Regional to advance to the sectional round next week. The Explorers will play sectional host Pleasant...
EDWARDSVILLE - Hunter Baugh went four innings on the mound to earn the win, striking out three, and also delivered the key hit of the game in a four-run second, a two-out, two-run double as Edwardsville won 7-0 over Collinsville in the IHSA baseball regional final Saturday morning, May 30, 2026,...
MADISON COUNTY - Authorities in Madison County have charged a 22-year-old man in connection with an April house fire and explosions in Troy, IL., that left three people dead, officials said after what they described as an extensive investigation involving local, state, and federal agencies. Colton...
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