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
St. Landry Woman Pleads Guilty To $116,000 Theft
Misty Johnson worked for the Opelousas company she stole from for 4 and a half years.
Acadiana Unites For Mayci Breaux Scholarship Fund
In less than a year following the Grand 16 shooting, the Mayci Breaux Scholarship Fund grew to more than $20,000 from Acadiana's giving spirit.
Bus Drivers Needed Immediately For LPSS
The Lafayette Parish School System Is looking to hire up to 20 bus drivers for the school year that begins next month.
School Board Retaining “Stand Or Else” Policy For Daily Pledge Of Allegiance
School Board Instituting "Stand Or Else" Policy For Daily Pledge Of Allegiance
Lafayette Catholic School Closing After 80 Years In The Community
Several factors played major roles in the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette's decision to close the doors to the school before the beginning of the next school year.
Second Video Of Alton Sterling Shooting Surfaces (Video)
This graphic video offers a second angle of the fatal altercation between Alton Sterling and two BRPD officers.
Lafayette Parish Arrest Report
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office reported 33 arrests for Friday.
Baton Rouge Mother Will Not Be Prosecuted For Whipping Sons
The East Baton Rouge Parish DA's office will not prosecute Schaquana Spears for whipping her sons.
Broussard Canceling Independence Day Fireworks Show
City officials cite the economic downturn in the oil and gas industry as the catalyst for the cancellation.
LSU and Southern Approve Plans To Grow Medical Marijuana
LSU and Southern University both want to begin growing marijuana for medical use.
UPDATE: Arrests Made In Double Homicide
Investigators have linked two men to the victims who were found burnt in their vehicles Tuesday.
Hospice of Acadiana Preparing For Annual Thrift Sale
Donations will be accepted at Hospice of Acadiana's Johnston Street office on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Deputy Marshal Seeks Change Of Venue In Fatal Shooting
MARKSVILLE, La. (AP) — One of two deputy city marshals accused in the fatal shooting of a boy who was strapped into the front seat of his father's car in Louisiana is asking a judge to move his trial to another location.
The Advocate reports attorneys for Derrick Stafford say publicity surrounding the November shooting of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis and the wounding of his father, Chris Few, has prej
UPDATE: Interstate 10 Crash At I-49 Cleared
Emergency Personnel were diverting traffic through the Louisiana Ave. and I-49 North exit.
Four Injured In Berwick Shooting Friday
Four victims suffered non-life threatening wounds following the shooting in Berwick.
Funeral Being Held For Orlando Shooting Victim With Acadiana Ties
Frank Hernandez-Escalante's sister, an Acadiana resident, and the rest of his friends and family are mourning his loss this weekend.
Crews Search For Missing Boater In Vermilion Bay
The boat reportedly capsized at around noon Thursday.
Ackal, 2 Employees Plead Not Guilty To New Civil Rights Violations
A superseding indictment released last week charges Ackal, top deputy Gerald Savoy and Capt. Mark Frederick with civil rights violations arising from the beatings of two men.
Iberia Parish Sheriff Charged For More Civil Rights Violations
The Department of Justice announced today Sheriff Louis Ackal and two others were charged with civil rights violations in a new case.
Crowley PD’s K.P. Gibson Transitioning To Sheriff (Audio)
As Acadia Parish Sheriff, Gibson said he plans to add more patrol deputies to fight crime and respond to emergencies.