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
Edwards Names Chief of Staff, Transition Team
State Sen. Ben Nevers will serve as Edwards' Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor.
Would You Pay For 10 Cents For A Plastic Grocery Bag?
Two New Orleans lawmakers are suggesting that grocery stores charge for plastic grocery bags in an effort to clean up the city.
Acadiana Election Results By Parish
This post contains election results for Acadiana parishes for elected positions.
Obama Calls on Russia To Focus On Islamic State Group
Obama also says Russia needs to make a strategic decision to go after IS, not moderate opposition forces trying to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Edwards, Dems Celebrate Gubernatorial Win
John Bel Edwards defied expectations that only a Republican could win statewide in Louisiana.
Lafayette Parish Arrest Report
The Sheriff's Office recorded 19 arrests on Saturday.
Geaux Vote Today! Precincts Open Until 8 PM
Topping the ballot are elections for governor and lieutenant governor.
UPDATE: Best Buy Reopened Following Bomb Threat
Cpl. Paul Mouton said a note was found in a restroom on the premises.
Lafayette Parish Arrest Report
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office reported 36 arrests fpr Friday.
Jindal’s Plan To Close $487M Budget Deficit Wins Approval
Both candidates in Saturday's runoff for governor urged rejection of the deficit closing plan, but neither spoke at the committee hearing Friday.
Veteran Acadiana Educator Added to LPSS Administration
Donald Aguillard, Ph.D, has named Irma Trosclair to the new LPSS school improvement administrator position.
Investigators Searching For Carencro Burglary Suspects
Two suspects were caught on home surveillance footage attempting to loot vehicles on Greenfield Drive.
Lafayette Student Seen Near Campus Carrying A Firearm
The student was sent home after being involved in a fight and seen later near campus with a gun.
Bond Commission Approves $468 million For Statewide Projects
The commission approved three projects in two Acadiana parishes for the month of November.
Lafayette Sheriff’s Office Warns Of Phone Scam
Sheriff's Spokesperson Capt. John Babin said the sheriff's office has received numerous calls from citizens about a phone scam that has been going on since October.
Jeanerette Man Arrested After Sunday Shooting
The suspect fired rounds hitting his victim during an altercation Sunday near the Four Corners area in St. Mary Parish.
Jailed Rape Suspect Now Wanted For Murder Of St. Landry Woman
On Tuesday, a district judge charged Jamal Scott James with first degree murder in the Sept. 17, 2014 death of Margie Marie Taylor.
Tax Amnesty Temporarily Shut Down After Clerical Error
Some letters sent to taxpayers notifying them about their eligibility for the program went to an old list of delinquent taxpayers.
Jindal Ends Campaign For President
In an interview Tuesday afternoon on Fox News, Jindal says, "This isn't my time."
State: 14 Syrian Refugees Resettled In Louisiana This Year
"It is irresponsible and severely disconcerting to place individuals, who may have ties to ISIS, in a state without the state’s knowledge or involvement," Jindal wrote to the president on the subject.