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.
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department is investigating a burglary at a sports memorabilia shop after officers responding to an early-morning alarm discovered the front door open, and the owner later confirmed merchandise was missing. Around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026, Edwardsville...
ALTON — The Alton Police Department is investigating a shooting after officers responded to a 911 call at about 8:41 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the 2200 block of Locust Street, authorities said. The Alton Police Department said it received a call reporting that a person had been shot...
ALTON - Alton High School will add girls flag football as a sport starting the fall of 2026, a move Athletic Director Christopher Kusnerick said could expand opportunities for students who have not participated in a fall sport. The program will compete in the Southwestern Conference, with Edwardsville,...
SWANSEA - Swansea Police officers arrested a 70-year-old registered sex offender after investigating reports that pornographic material was distributed to juveniles near Kinsella Avenue and Caseyville Avenue, police said. Billie D. Tadlock of Swansea was taken into custody on Tuesday, April 21, 2026...
JERSEY COUNTY — Gary Krueger, the chairman of the Jersey County Board, died Tuesday morning, April 21, 2026, at his home, Jersey County Clerk Pam Warford confirmed Wednesday, April 22, 2026. He was 75. Warford said Mark Wagner, the board’s vice chair, will assume the position. “It...
CENTRALIA - Marquette Catholic's baseball team and girls softball squad both lost competitive encounters with Christ Our Rock School on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, on the road. The baseball squad lost 5-3. Keller Jacobs, Robert Roentz, Carson Bauer, and Chris Hankins each had hits. Christ Our Rock toppe...
ALTON - If you have old athletic shoes to get rid of, Alton High School junior Allison Pruitt and some friends are organizing a major one-day shoe drive on May 2, 2026, at Alton High School to collect paired tennis shoes for a fundraiser benefiting vision and hearing programs...
ALTON — Riverbender.com “Our Daily Show!” host C.J. Nasello and Jacquelyn Buettner are getting married Saturday, April 25, 2026, with an open house-style reception planned at Mac’s in downtown Alton. The reception is scheduled from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Nasello said. “We'll...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 16-year-old St. Louis County juvenile accused of fatally stabbing a man in 2025 has been certified to stand trial as an adult and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, authorities said. The St. Louis County Family Court on April 21, 2026, certified Dakota...
BUNKER HILL - Marquette Catholic boys tennis breezed to a 9-0 victory in a match at Bunker Hill on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. These are the results: Marquette Catholic 9, Bunker Hill 0 Singles: No. 1 - Hubert Allen, Marquette Catholic (Alton) def. Wesley Lybarger, Bunker Hill , 6-1,...
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