In the summer of 2011, I accepted a position as a part-time reporter at KPEL. Since that time, I have covered all the major stories, including the disappearance and subsequent murder investigation of UL anthropology student Mickey Shunick, the approach and effects of Hurricane Isaac, and the 2012 Presidential election, with extensive reporting from Rick Santorum’s campaign rally in Lafayette. In December of 2013, I took over as KPEL's Brand Manager and Program Director. KPEL has grown a lot, and I hope to continue to guide that growth in the years to come.
Nathan Pike
One Year Later, Family Of Keiosha Felix Marks Anniversary With Candlelight Vigil
One year later, investigators are not much closer to solving Felix's mysterious disappearance, but they do believe she is still alive. Her family, including her baby, pray day and night for her return.
Mother, Child Reunited After Boy Wandered From Grandparents Near Time Plaza In Lafayette
The mom said the boy was excited to ride in the back of a police car, and when asked what he would have done if a bad person had gotten to him first, he said he "would've used a sword."
Boston Red Sox Return To Fenway Park In First Home Game Since Marathon Bombings
The pre-game ceremony also recognized those who lost their lives in the bombings and those who still continue to heal as they recover from their injuries.
Bostonians Celebrate In The Streets In Moments After Bombing Suspect Arrested [VIDEO]
Students at Northeastern University crowded into the streets, clapping and cheering at passing police officers, waving American flags and singing the country's National Anthem.
Computer Viruses Taking Advantage Of Boston Bombings
Computer programmers and hackers are already taking advantage of the twin bombings during the Boston Marathon, sending out fake emails that lure unsuspecting users to open the file.
According to the anti-virus company Sophos, at least three of the latest malware attacks include fake opinion pieces with the subject lines:
Opinion: FBI knew about bombs 3 days before Boston Marathon – Why and Who Be
Lafayette City-Parish Council Votes To Defer Red Light Amnesty Ordinance
While council members could have voted on the ordinance tonight, they chose to defer on a decision pending the outcome of a proposed amendment to the RedFlex contract which would ask the red light program company to pay for 40 percent of collections fees in exchange for 40 percent of base fines and late fees.
Jaci Russo, Fatima School Council President, Resigns Amid ‘Morality Clause’ Controversy
The clause prohibits teachers from engaging in homosexuality, using birth control, or being married outside the church.
Film Critic Roger Ebert Dead At 70
The 70-year-old Ebert reviewed films for the newspaper for 46 years.
Lafayette Parish School Board Reprimands Superintendent Pat Cooper In 6 to 3 Vote
In a tense executive session that featured a heated back-and-forth between district 6 board member Greg Awbrey and district 7 board member Mark Cockerham, Awbrey accused Cooper of violating school board policy and state law when he hired Welch.
Rayne Police Searching For Rooster Thief
Police say at least nine of the feathery friends were stolen from a home on Olga Street.
Opelousas School Placed On Lockdown Following Shooting Nearby
The school is now back to normal, and police continue to investigate.
City-Parish President Joey Durel’s Wife Injured In Morning Accident
Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley confirms to KPEL that Lynn Durel was injured and had to undergo surgery.
Seth Fontenot Indicted By Grand Jury On Murder, Attempted Murder Charges
On Feb. 10, 15-year-old Austin Rivault and two of his friends were riding in a truck on Green Meadow Road in Lafayette when Fontenot allegedly opened fire on them.
Carnival Controversy–St. Louis Claims Second-Largest Mardi Gras, Lafayette Disagrees
The mayor of St. Louis, Mo., Francis Slay, told reporters today that his city has, not only the second-largest Mardi Gras event in the country, but the best in the U.S. as well.
Two Acadiana High School Students Taken Into Custody After Threatening To Bring Gun To Campus
Officials with the Lafayette Parish School System say a security drill was conducted Wednesday after the two boys were overheard by other students threatening to bring a gun to campus on Friday.
Two Police Officers In Critical Condition, Another Dead Following Shooting In St. Mary Parish
The body of another man was found inside a home that was set on fire before the shooting.
Wilbert Thibodeaux Charged With Shooting Of Murdering Police Officer, Second Man
Thibodeaux allegedly began shooting at responding officers after reports of a fire and that he was walking around with a shotgun.
Acadiana School Systems Announce Plans To Make Up Lost Class Time
Several schools were forced to close down because of wet weather and flooding in some areas.
Disaster Resources For Residents Affected By Flooding
Continue following this post as we will update it throughout the day as we receive more information on disaster recovery.
Mother Of Mickey Shunick Comments On Brandon Scott Lavergne’s Efforts To Overturn Sentence
Lavergne was sentenced to live the remainder of his life in the Angola State Penitentiary after pleading guilty in court to the two murders.