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
Breaking: Officer Who Shot Alton Sterling Fired From BRPD
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul fires one of two officers inmvolved in the shooting death of Alton Sterling.
LPSO Deputy Charged With Battery Of An Inmate
A corrections deputy was charged with simple battery following an incident at the jail Thursday afternoon.
Gov. Edwards Offers Statement On AG’s Alton Sterling Findings
Governor John Bel Edwards offered the following statement after Landry made his Tuesday announcement.
Congress Honors WWII Veteran From Abbeville
Retired Brigadier General Robert Joseph LeBlanc earned the Congressional Gold Medal --the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow.
Lafayette PD Search For Pair Of Robbers After Home Invasion
Lafayette Police are searching for a pair of brazen robbers who broke into a home while the homeowners were inside.
Bayou Bridge Pipeline Construction Back On Track
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal ruled Thursday to allow Bayou Bridge Pipeline, LLC. to continue construction.
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.
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...
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 innopcent bystander shot in the leg when an argument between two groups of men escalated into gunfire.
FoodNet Founder Marcelle Citron, 92, Dies
Marcelle Citron was well-known for her humanitarian efforts in Acadiana and as the matriarch of the Hub City Ford franchise.
Local Winn-Dixie Stores Losing Their Decades-Old Identity
Eight Winn-Dixie locations in south Louisiana will no longer be Winn-Dixie stores.
IPSO Deputies Investigating Two Saturday Evening New Iberia Shootings
The city's crime spree continues with two Saturday-night shootings sending two victims to local hospitals.
Search Continues After Breaux Bridge Woman’s Disappearance
Twenty-nine-year-old Keisha Sylvester has been missing since September 2017.
Mardi Gras Parade Cancellations
We've all heard the phrase, "Don't Rain On My Parade." Well, it looks like that may happen this weekend in South Louisiana.
Westgate High Student Arrested For Gun On Campus
The teen remains in the Iberia Parish Jail for bringing a firearm and ammo on campus Thursday morning.
Looking Long Range To Tackle Flood Mitigation In Acadiana
Though cleaning out ditches and coullees may help floodwaters flow, Acadiana must take a regional approach for long-term flood mitigation.