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 - Three people were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Friday night, May 1, 2026, on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in St. Louis, according to a fatality crash report investigated by MCIU #2 MSGT. J. Cox and CPL. A. Smith. The crash was reported at 8:32 p.m. on May 1, 2026, on southbound...
O'FALLON - On Friday morning, May 1, 2026, Illinois State Police said a man was struck and killed. Illinois State Police said troopers received information around 6:30 a.m. Friday, a pedestrian was walking in and out of westbound traffic near milepost 14 when a semi-truck struck the pedestrian....
ALTON - Marquette Catholic girls soccer shut out Metro East Lutheran 8-0 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Glazebrook Park. Alex Stephan had three goals and an assist to lead the Explorers in the matchup, and Remmi Copeland had two goals and one assist. Other Marquette goal scorers and assist leaders...
CASEYVILLE - Multiple cameras captured an incident of illegal dumping on April 29, 2026, on Forest Boulevard in Caseyville, and the Caseyville Police Department said the footage led officers to identify a vehicle and issue a criminal citation. Caseyville Police said officers used the video...
BELLEVILLE - Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Bagley, the principal of Belle Valley School in Belleville, Illinois, died after a two-vehicle crash on April 21, 2026, in Madison County, according to an Illinois State Police preliminary report. Bagley, described as a beloved educator and principal, was...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Officer Austin Cross its Officer of the Month after he investigated a residential burglary that led to the recovery of stolen property and the detention of a suspect wanted in other cases. The Alton Police Department said Cross responded...
HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office said a 45-year-old Pleasant Hill resident was arrested late April 4, 2026, after authorities were notified of a “rolling domestic disturbance in progress” on Pump Station Road in northwest Calhoun County. The sheriff’s office...
HARDIN - Calhoun County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 68-year-old Hardin man recently after a reported domestic disturbance involving a firearm in Hardin. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office said West-Central 911 Dispatch notified the agency at about 2:15 p.m. on April 2, 2026, of a...
ALTON — Erick Humphrey outlasted Belleville West’s remaining singles player in a late, rain-delayed match Tuesday night, April 28, 2026, to lift Alton High to a 5-4 win on senior night. Alton led 2-1 after winning two of three doubles matches, then the teams were tied 4-4 with one singles...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed an adult man who was riding a bicycle Thursday morning, April 30, 2026, in the 2200 block of Hudson Drive, authorities said. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s North County...
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