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
Downtown Library Evacuated
The Main Branch of the Lafayette Public Library is being evacuated at this hour amid a fire alarm activation.
According to the Lafayette Parish 911 system, the fire alarm was activated at 4:10 p.m.
The Lafayette Fire Department is currently on the scene...
Line Of Storms Cause Acadiana Power Outages
Thousands are without power in Acadiana following a line of storms early this morning.
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.
Calif. Judge Rules Coffee Requires Cancer Warning
The culprit chemical is a byproduct of the bean roasting process that is a known carcinogen and has been at the heart of an eight-year legal struggle between a tiny nonprofit group and Big Coffee.
Lafayette Parish Crime Stats Show Slight Drops In Most Offenses
Data comparisons show small decreases in most criminal offenses, with one-third of the investigations cleared by the LPSO.
Gov. Edwards Offers Statement On AG’s Alton Sterling Findings
Governor John Bel Edwards offered the following statement after Landry made his Tuesday announcement.
Dead Austin Bombing Suspect Identified (UPDATED)
When police approached the suspect in Round Rock, Texas, he took his own life by detonating an explosive device in a car.
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.
Lafayette Middle Gun Threat Investigated
School and district staff alerted Lafayette police who investigated the allegation and found no weapon on campus.
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.
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...
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
Citron was well-known for her humanitarian efforts in Acadiana and as the matriarch of the Hub City Ford franchise.
Scott PD Searching For Pair Of Alleged Vehicle Burglars
Two suspects are wanted for a rash of vehicle burglaries in Scott and Lafayette.
School Bus Stolen From Jennings High School
The school bus was stolen early Tuesday morning from Jennings High School.
Foreign Nationals Arrested In Lafayette ATM Skimmer Investigation
Both of the teen suspects were arrested at a local hotel after beung charged for installing a skimming device on an ATM at a local credit union.
Local Winn-Dixie Stores Losing Their Decades-Old Identity
Eight Winn-Dixie locations in south Louisiana will no longer be Winn-Dixie stores.
UPDATE: 2 Arrested, 1 Wanted For Jeanerette Parade Shooting
One of the suspects turned himself into the Iberia Paruish Sheriff's Office this afternoon.