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.
GLEN CARBON - Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded Monday afternoon, April 27, 2026, to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 270 in Madison County after one vehicle reportedly hydroplaned and went off the road, with no injuries and no lane blockages reported. The crash was reported at about 2:24 p.m...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School junior McKenna Lee was selected by composer Eric Whitacre to perform a solo during an April 13, 2026, concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City while traveling with the EHS Choir, according to Edwardsville School District #7. The Edwardsville...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School boys tennis coach Dave Lipe said the program’s senior players have been “a great group” this season, citing their leadership and "team-first approach" in Edwardsville. The senior boys are shown above, from left standing with their banners...
ALTON - Alton High School boys tennis coach Jesse Macias has nominated senior Joe Ventimiglia for athlete of the month after Ventimiglia posted a 12-10 record and placed fifth at No. 2 singles in the Springfield JD Sinnock tournament over the weekend. Ventimigilia is the Auto Butler Male Athlet...
ST. LOUIS - A rare, higher-end severe weather threat is expected to build across the St. Louis region this afternoon and into tonight, with forecasters warning that storms could bring tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. The National Weather Service in St. Louis has upgraded the area to a Moderat...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police detectives are investigating the drowning death of a 77-year-old woman who was found unresponsive in a lake Sunday afternoon, April 26, 2026, at Spanish Lake County Park. Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department’s North County Precinct...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville artist Eula Anna Conwell Berg has been selected as one of 20 finalists in her category in The Art of Elysium People’s Artist Awards with Johnny Depp, with public voting set to open May 4, 2026. Berg, from Edwardsville, is a finalist for the award, which will be...
HARDIN - Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin arrested a 37-year-old Louisiana, Mo., woman on multiple drug- and driving-related charges after a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon near the Joe Page Bridge in East Hardin, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. The stop occurred March...
WASHINGTON PARK — Illinois State Police special agents have arrested a Belleville man in connection with a shooting that left a victim with life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Charles E. Little Jr., 40, was arrested by Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone...
EDWARDSVILLE — A 41-year-old Canton man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary stemming from a break-in at an office building in Dorsey, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Friday, April 24, 2026. Casey W. Sobberi broke into an offic...
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