Jeff Martin

Alabama

Publisher and Columnist at Montgomery Independent

Publisher: The Montgomery Independent & INDY Magazine. Columnist. Lobbyist. Realist. Dad of a teenage daughter. Sometimes 🏖️ bum. War Damn.✌🏻

Featured in: Favicon

montgomeryindependent.com Favicon

time.com

go.com

aol.com

theglobeandmail.com Favicon

csmonitor.com Favicon

globalnews.ca Favicon

independent.ie Favicon

mercurynews.com Favicon

baltimoresun.com + 101 more

Articles

US Senator Bruce Pearl?

1 week ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin
Beautiful for Whom?

2 weeks ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Trump's so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill" is in fact, nothing more than lipstick on a pig. It might be the ugliest piece of legislation to come out of Washington in decades, at least for the 170,000 Alabamians projected to lose their health insurance if it passes. Toss in deep cuts to food assistance programs like SNAP, which 750,000 Alabamians rely on, and you've got a recipe for disaster, especially in the state's rural counties where help is needed most.
Ex-police chief and convicted killer who escaped from Arkansas jail captured

3 weeks ago | brandonsun.com | Jeff Martin

A former police chief and convicted killer known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” was captured 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of the prison grounds by law enforcement official safter he escaped from a prison, triggering a massive manhunt in the mountains of northern Arkansas, authorities announced on Friday. Grant Hardin’s identity was confirmed through finger printing, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Bloodhounds hunting 'Devil in the Ozarks' fugitive are seen as key part of manhunt

4 weeks ago | wacotrib.com | Jeff Martin |Andrew DeMillo |Safiyah Riddle |Jeff Martin

A bloodhound picked up the scent shortly after the “ Devil in the Ozarks ” escaped from a lockup in northern Arkansas. The hound didn't have to go far to begin the hunt — it lives at the prison as part of a specialized unit that uses man's best friend to help track fugitives. Although the scent of convicted killer Grant Hardin was lost because of heavy rain, experts say that even days after Sunday's escape, the animal's highly developed sense of small can still pick up a fresh trail.
Caves and other mountain hideouts searched for fugitive known as 'Devil in the Ozarks'

4 weeks ago | godanriver.com | Jeff Martin |Andrew DeMillo |Safiyah Riddle |Jeff Martin

There are plenty of hideouts in the rugged terrain of the Ozark Mountains, from abandoned cabins to campsites in the vast forests where searchers are hunting for a convicted former police chief known as the "Devil in the Ozarks."Others are not only off the grid but beneath it, in the hundreds of caves that lead to vast subterranean spaces. Local, state and federal law enforcement are continuing to scour the region around the prison.
The Graduate

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

It's Memorial Day, and I'm writing from the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Our beach place was available this week-Olivia and her friends had first dibs, but they opted for the lake instead. Winner: me!
Old Man Syndrome

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

By Jeff Martin I don't mind getting old-it's the feeling old that's throwing me. Doctor visits are more frequent, injuries now occur in my sleep, and despite a pretty regular exercise routine, I still wake up with new aches in places I didn't know existed. I like to think I'm in decent shape. But creeping toward 60, I've found tying my shoes can sometimes feel like a minor athletic feat.
Tuberville's Move Shakes Up Statewide Election Plans

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

The guessing game is about to end for political pundits who love speculating about who might run for what. We're now less than a month away from the magic date when candidates can start raising money-and begin announcing their intentions for the 2026 election cycle. This week's big political buzz? Florida resident and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville appears to be all-in as a candidate for governor. Some insiders even believe a Trump endorsement could clear the field of any viable primary opponents.
Jimmy Pool Adjourns His Legal Career

2 months ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

I congratulate Judge Jimmy Pool on his recent retirement after a successful legal and judicial career. I consider him a good friend and a wonderful person. I first met Jimmy when I was working for Jere Beasley in the late 80s, and we continued our friendship over the years through our politics and family. Jimmy has done many great things, but by far the smartest was marrying Carol in 1993.
We Didn't Elect a President, We Crowned a King

2 months ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Eleven weeks into Donald Trump's return to the White House, and it's complete chaos. The daily headline's provide nothing but headaches and anxiety. Trump, now a convicted felon, has pardoned the January 6th rioters-including those who assaulted police officers. He's floated seizing Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal.