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: Dine-&-Dash Couple Turn Themselves In
The pair of women--with a young child in tow--racked up a more than $100 meal bill before leaving a Scott restaurant.
UPDATE: CAPTURED; Lafayette Man Wanted For Child Sex Crimes
Attorney General Jeff Landry and his Cyber Crime Unit are looking for 65-year-old Durice "Joey" Richard accused of child sex crimes.
The New Iberia Police Dept. Hits The Streets This Weekend (AUDIO)
Police Chief Todd D'Albor discusses what changes will be seen on the streets of New Iberia when the NIPD is resurrected this weekend.
Trump Endorses Clay Higgins For Congressional Re-election
The Donald J. Trump For President, Inc. organization announced the president is backing Higgins because--among other reasons--he is "a law-and-order candidate."
Aggreko Expansion Bringing Jobs To Iberia Parish
The expansion that is expected to produce 30 new direct jobs and 30 new indirect positions in Acadiana.
Bishop “Deeply Saddened” Following Priest’s Arrest
The head of the Diocese of Lafayette shares his thoughts on the confession and arrest of a St. Landry Parish priest on sexual abuse charges.
Resource Officers Being Assigned To Every LPSS School
School resource officers could be found at every high school and middle school in the parish, Now, the presence of an armed, uniformed officer will be extended to all grades K-12.
Lafayette Cell Phone Store Robbed At Gunpoint
The Lafayette Police Department is investigating the afternoon armed robbery.
UPDATE: 3rd Man Arrested In Death Of St. Martinville Teen
62-year-old Donald Boutte of Breaux Bridge has also been arrested.
Terrebonne Parish Water Tests Positive For Brain-Eating Amoeba
Water testing found the brain-eating amoeba in a small Terrebonne Parish community's water system.
Online Video Leads To Road Rage Arrest In Lafayette
A video posted online today led to the arrest of a Lafayette man who was witnessed driving recklessly.
UPDATE: LPSS Whistle-Blower Files Federal Suit Against Admins
Two administrators named as defendants are on medical leave following the filing of a federal lawsuit.
UPDATE: Lafayette PD Looking For Suspect In Guilbeau Rd. Shooting
A 45-year-old man is recovering in a hospital following a shooting at The Gallery Apartment complex on Guilbeau Road.
US Imposes Steel. Aluminum Tariffs On Int’l Allies
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the tariffs would be 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum.
UPDATE: Missing Breaux Bridge Toddler Found Safe
The girl--Ryan Trosclair-- has been returned safe and sound to the child's grandparents.
Firefighters Fight Blaze At Zoosiana (VIDEO)
Fortunately, no animals--or humans--were injured in a structural fire at Zoosiana Saturday night.
Fire Officials Investigate Fatal Pineville Explosion
The explosion killed one employee at Pineville's Proctor & Gamble facility this morning.
UPDATE: Lafayette PD Arrests Chase Bank Robbery Suspect
Lafayette Police Department investigators have booked the suspect wanted for last Wednesday's robbery at an Oil Center bank.
Overdose Death Ruled A Homicide, Suspect Arrested
One man charged with murder for supplying lethal dose of narcotics.
UPDATE: All Lanes Open Near I-10 Crash Site
If you need to head to Baton Rouge from the Acadiana area, get off of I-10 at the 1-49 exit.