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: Scott Man Reported Missing Has Been Located
Scott Police Chief Chad Leger said 46-year-old Bruce Brown has been missing since Friday.
Patterson Shooting Leaves 13-Year-Old Boy Dead
Investigators are continuing to investigate the shooting that has been ruled an accidental shooting.
SM’Ville Man Arrested For Recent Burglaries
Colby Francois, 20, of St. Martinville was the third suspect arrested for a rash of burglaries that spanned Iberia and St. Martin Parishes.
Lafayette Parish Arrest Report
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office reported 36 arrests in the past 24 hours.
Breaux Bridge Man Arrested For Alleged Child Abuse
The 28-year-old father was arrested for severely whipping his six-year-old son.
Bond Commission Approves $135 Million For Lafayette Parish Projects
The Lafayette Parish School Board received the lion's share of the tax bond revenue approved for Lafayette Parish projects this month.
Audit: SMILE Organization Needs Improved Management Control
A Louisiana Legislative Auditor's report states the agency has already taken some steps to alleviate the "lack of adequate control."
Holiday Festivities Foiled By Mother Nature
The Broussard and St. Martinville Christmas parades and other festivities have been cancelled due to forecasts of thunderstorms rolling through Acadiana later today.
Baton Rouge Shooting Leaves 14-Year-Old In Critical Condition
Anyone with information on this shooting should contact Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.
Lafayette Parish Arrest Report
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office reported 21 arrests for Saturday.
State Police Searching For Suspects Wanted for Shooting Troopers
Louisiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Nick Manale said three state troopers sustained minor injuries.
Sheriff’s Office Seeking Friday Night Shooting Suspect
Sheriff's spokesperson Capt. John Babin reported that around 11 p.m. Friday deputies responded to a shooting that occurred in a trailer park on Roper Road near Scott.
Proceeds From Capt. Higgins Merchandise To Aid Community
The proceeds from Capt. Clay Higgins merchandise will be collected to fund a homeless shelter in St. Landry Parish.
Lafayette Parish Arrest Report
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office reported 35 arrests for Friday.
Algae Bloom Closes Oyster Areas, Prompts Gulf Health Warnings
In Louisiana, officials closed seven major oyster harvesting areas along the state's southeastern coast.
Grand Jury Indicts Former Marksville Marshals
Norris Joseph Greenhouse Jr and Derrick Stafford were each charged with one count of second-degree murder for Jeremy Madris' death.
La. National Guard Enlists First Female Field Artillery Soldier
Pvt. Journae King, a 21-year-old woman from Laplace, made history among Army reservists last week when she was enlisted as the Louisiana National Guard's first female artillery soldier.
New Orleans Mayor Slams Trump’s Remarks About Muslims
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has joined other critics in condemning GOP presidential contender Donald Trump's proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
In a statement Tuesday, Landrieu said Trump's comments are "absolutely disgraceful...
Police Seeking Suspects In Rue Royale Shooting
One female victim, shot in the right arm, was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Obama To Give Address After California Shootings Tonight
The White House says that during the 8 p.m. address Obama will provide an update on the attack that killed 14 and wounded 21, and will also discuss the broader threat of terrorism.