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
UPDATE: Victims ID’d In New Iberia Murder-Suicide
The Sheriff's Office says Danny Harris Junior and Judd Judice died from gunshot wounds.
The Independent Ending Publication; Suspending ABiz, Current
The alternative news source based in Lafayette is ending publication after 14 years.
Vermilion Parish Officials Issue Voluntary Evacuation Orders
Those who live in low-lying areas are being encouraged to find shelter elsewhere.
LSP: Missing Children Alert Canceled (UDPATED)
The Level II Endangered/Missing Child Media Advisory for Easton Alfred and Endie Dacosta has been canceled.
Lafayette Man Wanted For Fatal Downtown Shooting
25-year-old Sam Brown III is wanted for second-degree murder
UPDATE: Morgan City Man Dies Following Officer-Involved Shooting In St. Martin Parish
Louisiana State Police has released the identity of the man killed in the Monday night shooting.
Mom Leaves Infant Home Alone While She Crossed Street To Go Drinking
32-year-old Ashley Deshotels was charged with child endangerment and disturbing the peace by intoxication Tuesday.
UPDATE: Federal Lawsuit Filed Against LPSO, 15th JDC For Unlawful Prisoner Treatment
The sheriff, and court officials, are under fire for holding people in jail on unreasonable bail bond rates.
Lafayette PD Solves Decade-Old Homicide Case
Three men were on the lam for 10 years for the murder of Malcolm Davis.
Both Carmel Drive Murder Suspects Behind Bars
The couple has been booked for murder of a Lafayette man Saturday night.
Lafayette PD Makes Massive, Historic Drug Bust
The Friday drug bust is the largest known cocaine seizure in the history of the Lafayette Police Department.
La. Students Top Arrests Tallies For Spring Break
Louisiana students earned the citation championship during the seven-week Spring Break season in Florida.
Agencies Revive Public Appeal To Help Find Keiosha Felix
Law enforcement agencies are still searching for the young woman from Duson after five years since her disappearance.
BREAKING: LPD Arrest Suspect In Connection With Jefferson St. Shooting
But investigators are still looking for the suspect who definitively fired the fatal shot.
LPSS Fires Back In Response To AG’s Statement
Dr. Donald Aguillard has issued an open letter in response to Attorney General Jeff Landry's opinion about wording of the LPSS tax resolution.
The Ross Report: Comeaux High Students Speak Out Against School, LPSS Admins (Audio)
Two Lafayette teens suggest many, many ways the school board needs to improve district schools other than replacing portable buildings.
US Forces Drop Masssive 21,000-pound Bomb in Afghanistan
This is reportedly the first time this massive ordinance has ever been used in combat.
Amtrak Passenger Train Collides With Big Rig In Lafayette
An Amtrak passenger train came to a screaching halt moments ago as it collided with a flatbed reailer in Lafayette.
KPEL listeners reported the crash that occurred around 1 p.m. near the SE Evangeline Thruway frontage road across from the Lafayette Regional Airport...
Eunice Man Behind Bars After He Threatens Step-Children With Rifle
The previously convicted felon faces a host of charges stemming from the Monday afternoon incident.
UPDATE: Missing Lafayette Teen Found Safe
Cemetria "Maggie" Bernard has been found and deemed safe.