Born in Lafayette and raised in St. Martinville, I am a Cajun in heart, mind and spirit. I dove into the news industry with my start at my hometown newspaper where I picked up some journalistic skills. I earned a degree in mass communications at UL Lafayette which prepared me for covering news in Acadiana and around the state. As a news reporter for KPEL, my news beats include, but are not limited to, Lafayette Consolidated Government and the Lafayette Parish School Board. Jumping from print media to broadcast has been an exciting move for me in the ever-changing multimedia environment of today's news world. When not covering news, I can often be found playing guitar or cooking at home, both usually being done with my daughter, Jolie, very near by.
Derek Albert
Lafayette Middle Gun Threat Investigated
School and district staff alerted Lafayette police who investigated the allegation and found no weapon on campus.
Saints, Pelicans Owner Tom Benson Dead at 90
New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson has died.
Social Media Threat At Mall of Louisiana Prompts Evacuation
Though social media users shared the active shooter threats, no shooter or weapon have been confirmed to be found at the facility.
Rayne Home Burglary Foiled; 4 Suspects Booked
The planned burglary was immediately foiled by a concerned caller and quick police response by the Rayne PD.
Breaux Bridge Man Booked On Slew Of Drug Charges
Thirty-one-year-old Kyle Jean-Batiste was arrested after undercover narcotics agent purchased marijuana from him.
Social Media Threat Forces Search of Westgate High
Investigators report there has been no firearm found on campus, but deputies are still investigating social media posts.
High-Speed Chase Ends With Crash Near Duson
A crash following a high-speed chase has traffic backing up on I-10 Eastbound near Duson.
According to our news partners at KATC, the chase began near Iowa or Welsh.
The motorist leading state troopers on the pursuit eventually crashed into one of the state police cruisers near mile marker 93 in Duson...
Trump’s Getting His Military Parade With One Caveat
President Trump will get his military parade on Veterans' Day, but there will be one obvious absence.
Lafayette Man Sentenced To Life For Double Homicide In Cade
Thirty-two-year-old Derrick Siner is headed to prison for life after pleading guilty to a double murder.
Third Circuit Orders Release Of City Marshal Brian Pope
Louisiana's Third Circuit Court of Appeal has ordered Pope to be released while he appeals the 30-day sentence.
11-yr-old Girl Shot During Gunfight In Rayne
The child was an innocent bystander shot in the leg when an argument between two groups of men escalated into gunfire.
FoodNet Founder Marcelle Citron, 92, Dies
Citron was well-known for her humanitarian efforts in Acadiana and as the matriarch of the Hub City Ford franchise.
Utah Lawmakers Try Rapping…And It’s Terrible
I'm sure most of us can recall the Schoolhouse Rock video that taught us how a bill becomes a law in the U.S. legislative process.
Utah lawmakers should have just posted "I'm Just A Bill" rather than making their cringe-worthy attempt at explaining the legislative process to the music of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song...
Cameron Parish Trustee Crew Finds Rotting Human Head
The road crew made the grisly discovery Thursday along a roadside in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
Scott PD Searching For Pair Of Alleged Vehicle Burglars
Two suspects are wanted for a rash of vehicle burglaries in Scott and Lafayette.
School Bus Stolen From Jennings High School
The school bus was stolen early Tuesday morning from Jennings High School.
Changes Coming For LPSS Magnet Academies
Some Magnet Academy programs being extended to new schools, while one school loses its academy.
Local Winn-Dixie Stores Losing Their Decades-Old Identity
Eight Winn-Dixie locations in south Louisiana will no longer be Winn-Dixie stores.
LCG Coucilmen Discuss Stances On School Zone Traffic Cameras
Councilmen Bruce Conque and William Theriot differ in their stances on placing traffic cameras in school zones within Lafayette.
Gov. & AG Coordinate Efforts Against Opioid Industry
The unlikely alliance is finally being forged to combat Louisiana's opioid epidemic.