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.
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...
ALTON — Two Alton men have been charged in connection with a Wednesday, April 22, 2026, shooting in the 2200 block of Locust Street in Alton, after investigators presented the case to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office and arrest warrants were signed, police said. Anthony...
EDWARDSVILLE - Jack Beaber delivered a pair of podium finishes Saturday, placing third in both the shot put and discus at the Winston Brown Meet of Champions in Edwardsville. Competing April 25, 2026, Beaber took third in the shot put with a throw of 15.74 meters (51 feet, 7.75 inches) and was thir...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville's boys track squad posted 99 points in the varsity category to place second in the team competition on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to Chatham-Glenwood, who scored 101.5 points. Mascoutah was third with 54 points. Triad was sixth with 52 points, Highland was ninth with 39...
GRAFTON — A new memorial honoring U.S. veterans is set to open June 6, 2026, along the Mississippi River in Grafton, with a day of events marking the anniversary of D-Day and featuring the unveiling of a life-size bronze installation of Army Rangers scaling a bluff. The National Memorial o...
Cloud cover that residents described as “often scary” hung over the region Monday, April 27, 2026, as heavy rain brought flash flooding to the St. Louis area and nearby communities, including Hartford. Jeanne Barzee documented the flooding in Hartford with a photo showing flash flooding...
CLINTON COUNTY - Clinton County, Illinois, showed tornado damage on Monday, April 27, 2026, the National Weather Service said, as severe weather moved through the region. The NWS said surveyors had been dispatched to Clinton County on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and the Carlyle area to check the damage...
ALTON/JERSEYVILLE - The Metro East region, including Alton, Jerseyville, and East Alton, was hit with significant hail during severe storms on Monday, April 27, 2026, according to the National Weather Service. Hail is a form of solid precipitation in the form of ice pellets. “There was ...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has filed charges against a St. Louis man after investigators say he robbed a convenience store at gunpoint and was arrested minutes later while trying to break into another business. Alton Police said the investigation began about 8:56 a.m. April 26, 2026, when...
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