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: 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.
State Tax Renewal Fails In House By 7 Votes
It's lights out for a tax renewal that would cover about half of the state's looming budget gap.
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.
Breaux Bridge Fugitives Booked For Weekend Shooting
The three Breaux Bridge fugitives turned themselves into authorities Tuesday morning.
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...
Audit: Town of Baldwin In Financial Crisis?
An independent audit lists concerns about the financial future of one St. Mary Parish town.
According to Louisiana Legislative Auditor Daniel Purpera's office, an independent auditor expressed concern about whether the Town of Baldwin will be able to keep operating because of ongoing deficits that totaled more than $1...
Line Of Storms Cause Acadiana Power Outages
Thousands are without power in Acadiana following a line of storms early this morning.
Iberia Parish Officials Indicted On Fraud Charges
The mayor of Jeanerette, and her brother, an Iberia Parish councilman were indicted in Baton Rouge today for a years-long Medicaid fraud scam.
Lafayette School Board To Pay Remainder Of Pat Cooper’s Contract
After a 3-year legal battle over Cooper's wrongful termination, the school board voted unanimously to pay out the remainder of Cooper's contract.
Driver’s Ed Instructor Denied Appeal For Lewd Comments To Teens
Former driving instructor Teddy Aguillard's 10-year sentence for making sexual comments to teen girls is upheld in Louisian's Third Circuit Court.
Carencro Man Sentenced On Child Porn Charges
The U.S. Attorney's office reported 57-year-old Michael Deblanc will spend the next seven years behind bars for possessing child pornography.
Sheriff Looking For Answers In Cold Case Murder
Crime Stoppers of Acadia Parish is asking for any answers regarding a fatal 2016 shooting in Crowley.
Armed Robbery Suspect At Large In New Iberia
Investigators are seeking 23-year-old Anthony Wesley Jr. who is wanted for two alleged armed robberies.
Brushwood Drive Home Invasion Suspects Arrested
A pair of home invasion suspects have been arrested in connection to a robbery of the home on Brushwood Drive.
Lafayette Police Spokesman Cpl. Karl Ratcliff said Daremius Fils and Wilbert Chaisson were identified in surveillance video footage and from evidence found at the crime scene...
Lafayette General Threatens Split From UHC Agreement
The termination of the cooperative endeavor agreement will be effective June 30 if the State does not appropriate full funding by that date.
The Ross Report: Senate Cmte. Shoots Down Home Health Care Funding
Senate Bill 357 would have diverted funding to Louisiana's home health care industry, but it was shot down last week.