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
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 Church Evacuated During Good Friday Service
Reports of a person on church property turned out to be a false alarm. This afternoon's church activities have resumed.
LPSO Deputy Charged With Battery Of An Inmate
A corrections deputy was charged with simple battery following an incident at the jail Thursday afternoon.
LCG Summit Yields “Unity” As Solution To Budget Woes
After a three-hour summit hosted by LCG's Revenue Committee, few solutions were offered, but many concerns were voiced.
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.
GOP Sen. Cortez Files Bill To Overhaul DOTD
In hopes of fixing the backlog of projects, copious construction time frames and oversight miscues, Cortez filed Senate Bill 498.
Gov. Edwards Offers Statement On AG’s Alton Sterling Findings
Governor John Bel Edwards offered the following statement after Landry made his Tuesday announcement.
Wingin It Wednesday: Austin, Facebook & Tom Benson
The Wingin It panel touches upon Cambridge Analytica, this weeks Austin explosions, and what Tom Benson is leaving his progeny.
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.
Bayou Bridge Pipeline Construction Back On Track
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal ruled Thursday to allow Bayou Bridge Pipeline, LLC. to continue construction.
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.
Rayne Home Burglary Foiled; 4 Suspects Booked
The planned burglary was immediately foiled by a concerned caller and quick police response by the Rayne PD.
Breaux Bridge Man Booked On Slew Of Drug Charges
Thirty-one-year-old Kyle Jean-Batiste was arrested after undercover narcotics agent purchased marijuana from him.
Social Media Threat Forces Search of Westgate High
Investigators report there has been no firearm found on campus, but deputies are still investigating social media posts.
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...