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.
ALTON — The Alton Fire Department responded to approximately seven weather-related incidents during a severe storm that swept through the area on Friday, March 14, 2025, according to Deputy Chief Matt Fischer. The calls included reports of downed trees, arcing wires, and fire alarms. In addition,...
WOOD RIVER — A two-vehicle crash in Wood River on Illinois Route 143 near the Federico Kia Dealership on Saturday, March 15, 2025, resulted in one person being taken to an area hospital, while three others involved in the incident declined medical attention. The collision occurred when a vehicle...
WOOD RIVER - Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut reported a series of incidents sparked by arcing power lines that ignited brush fires along Tyler Timmins Drive, behind the KIA dealership, on the afternoon of Friday, March 14, 2025. The brush fire, which took approximately 30 minutes to contain, was...
Severe storms swept through parts of Missouri and Illinois on Friday evening, March 14, 2025, leaving behind a trail of destruction and resulting in at least 10 fatalities in Missouri, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). The storms, which featured wind gusts reaching up to 80-90...
ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - A powerful storm system is expected to impact the region this evening, with the National Weather Service warning of a moderate risk for severe weather, including the possibility of tornadoes and high winds. The storm is anticipated to arrive in western St. Louis around 9 p.m.,...
COLUMBIA, Ill. — The Columbia Police Department announced on March 14, 2025, that a woman previously known only as Jane Doe has been identified as Carol Hemphill, nearly 23 years after her remains were discovered in a creek bed along Illinois Route 3. The skeletal remains were found on March...
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Charges have been filed against Jessica Przygoda, a 34-year-old resident of Edwardsville, in connection with a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred on Aug. 23, 2024, on Meramec Station Road in St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced...
TROY – Drew Winslow recently concluded a tremendous boys' basketball career for Triad High School. Now, he prepares for the baseball season where he will be one of the region's top pitching prospects. In a tightly contested game, the Triad basketball team fell to Chatham Glenwood 43-41 on...
EDWARDSVIILE – Daniel Gierer's base hit past a drawn-in infield capped off a four-run ninth inning and gave SIUE baseball a 12-11 walk-off win over Evansville at Simmons Baseball Complex Wednesday. Gierer is a Father McGivney Catholic High School graduate. With SIUE trailing 11-8 going...
ALTON - Alton High School has announced the hiring of Carsen Freeman as the head boys' volleyball coach, effective for the spring season of 2025. Freeman, a 2019 graduate of Alton High School, has a longstanding connection to the sport and the institution, having been a student-athlete for the Redbirds...
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