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.
BENTON — A St. Clair County tax return preparer who owned and operated several tax preparation businesses pleaded guilty in federal court in Benton to charges that she intentionally made false statements on tax return forms and committed wire fraud, according to court documents and federal officials....
ROXANA - Roxana High School senior Dalton Carriker is concluding his athletic career in style this spring for the Shells baseball team as a key player. He earned All-Conference honors in baseball and football and was the 2025 Baseball Offensive Player of the Year, according to information provided...
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School has named Sam Rea and Addie Bryson as prom king and queen for “Prom 2026 - Lights, Camera, Prom,” according to a school announcement. The Marquette Catholic administration congratulated the prom court and highlighted Rea and Bryson...
EDWARDSVILLE - Marquette Catholic's girls soccer team blanked Metro East Lutheran High School 9-0 in a match on Tuesday night, April 28, 2026, at MELHS in Edwardsville. Marquette moves to 9-4-2 with the win. The Explorers host Quincy Notre Dame on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and host MELHS on Thursday,...
ALTON/GRAFTON/HARDIN - A stretch of the Mississippi River in the St. Louis region is forecast to climb into minor flood levels in the coming days, with the National Weather Service in St. Louis issuing a minor flood warning for the Mississippi River at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton and the...
ST. LOUIS - Six Flags St. Louis will begin requiring chaperones for guests 16 and younger starting Saturday, May 2, 2026, after fights last weekend led to an early closure at the Eureka, Mo., amusement park, according to the park and local authorities. The park announced the policy on Tuesday,...
MADISON/ST. CLAIR COUNTY - An estimated 26 tornado warnings were issued across the St. Louis region during severe storms on Monday, April 27, 2026. The National Weather Service in St. Louis on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, confirmed one tornado near Marine in Madison County at 1:41 p.m. on Monday, April...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department played an active part on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Alton High School, where a school resource officer represented the department at the school’s annual job fair and offered students a hands-on lesson about impairment. School Resource Officer...
SWANSEA - The Swansea Police Department announced that Chase Carlile graduated from Session 158 of the SWIC Police Academy this past Thursday, April 23, 2026, and will begin a 14-week field training program with the department. “Congratulations to our newest officer, Chase Carlile,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Adan Bilzing is a senior outfielder for the Belleville West baseball team, and he's provided needed senior leadership and encouragement to his teammates on the Maroons, In a game against Edwardsville on Apr. 21 at Tom Pile Field, he delivered in a big way. Bilzing had the key hit...
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