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
Electric Companies Reporting Outages
Electric companies that serve Acadiana residents are reporting outages in the following areas as of 2:10 p.m. Saturday.
Entergy
The Entergy Electric Company is listing power outages in the following Acadiana parishes:
Acadia -- 16
Iberia -- 193
Lafayette -- 43
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Pinhook Businesses Flooded Near Vermilion River [PHOTOS]
Business threatened with water as rains continue in Acadiana.
UPDATE: More Curfews Added Throughout Acadiana
KPEL will continue to update this list as more reports of curfews are reported.
Update: Additional Road Closures Reported
We are constantly updating the list of road closures. Continue visiting this post for updates.
Acadiana Area Curfews Set Due To Flooding
So far, two Acadiana law enforcement agencies have instituted curfews.
UPDATE: Red Cross, Others Open Emergency Shelters
The Red Cross has opened 11 shelters across the state; two are in Acadiana.
Mayor: Youngsville Residents Should Stay Off Roads, Shelter At Home (AUDIO)
Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter, city staff and first responders are coordinating rescue efforts.
SLEMCO Crews Reacting To Power Outages As Rains Persist
Flooding is inhibiting crews from accessing some areas, but power will be restored ASAP.
Cankton Residents Advised To Shelter In Place
Residents in Cankton near Savoie Road and Highway 93 are being asked to shelter in place.
LCG Council Adds Deputy Chief Position To Police Force
Once a new Lafayette Police Department Chief is chosen, one of his/her first tasks will be to choose a deputy chief.
During the Lafayette Consolidated Government council meeting tonight, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution--sponsored by Mayor-President Joel Robideaux-- to create the position of deputy chief within the Lafayette Police Department...
UPDATE – Abbeville Recreation Director Resigns Amid Child Molestation & Sexual Battery Charges
Abbeville's recreation director Trenton Baudoin resigns after being indicted on charges of sexual battery and child molestation.
Police: Acadiana Mall Re-Opened To Public
Police and Fire crews are currently investigating the situation. Traffic at Johnston and Ambassador Caffery is halted.
A Glance At The Grand 16 Shooting One Year Later
We remember the events from one year ago--the shock, the tragedy, the unity and the healing.
Latest: Wounded Deputy Released From From Hospital
One of the officers wounded in the ambush has been released from the hospital, and another remains in critical condition, according to officials.
11-Year-Old Lafayette Boy Killed In Alabama Crash
Cameron Michael Bailey was killed in the head-on collision in Foley, Alabama.
Dallas Gunman Learned Tactics At Texas School
Micah Johnson, a U.S. Army veteran, would practice military style drills at his home; he also trained at a private self-defense school.
Police: 8-Year-Old Boy Drowns In Youngsville
The drowning occurred at a family gathering in the Copperfield Subdivision Saturday.
Louisiana Deputy To Donate Kidney To ‘Brother In Blue’
A south Louisiana officer injured in a shooting will soon receive a new kidney, thanks to a donation from a St. Tammany Parish deputy.
Opelousas Woman Arrested After Stealing Child’s iPad
The woman attempted to right her wrongs after seeing herself in social media posts.
Officer-Involved Shootings May Spark Threats Via Social Media
So far, Louisiana State Police investigators have not validated any threats to be "credible."