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.
CHARLESTON — Father McGivney’s boys 4x800-meter IHSA 1A relay team placed second Saturday, May 30, 2026, to Rockford Christian in a meet featuring what the runners described as an electric atmosphere, while also breaking the 8-minute barrier with a time of 7:59.36. Rockford Christian...
BERKELEY, MO. - One person was killed, and three others were injured, on Thursday evening, May 28, 2026, in a shooting at a birthday gathering at Ramona-Mathison Lake Park in Berkeley, Mo., where authorities said a family dispute over children playing too close to the lake triggered the gunfire....
WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police Department executed a drug-related search warrant in the 500 block of Park Lane on the afternoon of Thursday, May 28, 2026, as part of an investigation that began with an aggravated battery reported early May 27, according to the department. Wood Rive...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said it will increase enforcement of several city park ordinances after receiving concerns and complaints from neighbors and Park Commission members about activity in city parks. The Police Department announced the stepped-up enforcement in a public notice fro...
GILLESPIE - Marquette Catholic cruised past Staunton 5-3 in the IHSA Class 2A Baseball Regional semifinals on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Marquette Catholic now plays Gillespie at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Gillespie for the 2A regional crown. Gillespie beat Southwestern 5-2 in the other Gillespi...
EDWARDSVILLE — Collinsville used a nine-run third inning to break open the second semifinal on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Tom Pile Field, defeating Quincy 12-3 and advancing to the final. The Kahoks added one run in the fifth and two more in the seventh to eliminate Quincy. Collinsville is...
CASEYVILLE - Caseyville Police said four children ages 3 to 6 were found with visible injuries consistent with ongoing physical abuse after officers responded May 26, 2026, to a report at the Days Inn in Caseyville, and two women were later arrested and charged. Officers were sent to...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 6-year-old boy who was critically injured in an accidental shooting earlier this week in north St. Louis County has died, and a 19-year-old man previously was charged in connection with the case, according to St. Louis County police and prosecutors. St. Louis County police...
BELLEVILLE — A 35-year-old man’s body was discovered Thursday morning, May 28, 2026, near a bike trail in the 900 block of North Illinois Street, close to the Richland Creek Greenway Trail, according to Belleville Police. Police said the man was found around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Belleville...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday morning, May 29, 2026, it is conducting a search and rescue operation in the Signal Hill area with assistance from the Signal Hill Fire Department, St. Clair County Special Emergency Services, and...
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