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
St. Mary Parish Teacher Facing Simple Battery Charges Against Student
A St. Mary Parish teacher turned himself in yesterday for using a strange, and illegal, form of corporal punishment to discipline a student.
State Police Investigating Motorcycle Crash In Lower St. Martin
Louisiana State Police Troop I has investigated 30 fatal crashes, yielding 31 deaths, so far this year.
St. Martinville Teen Arrested For Theft Friday
St. Martinville teen booked for stealing from the elderly.
LCG’s Rain Barrel Pickup Scheduled For Saturday Morning
Three hundred rain barrels ready for pickup on Saturday.
Nine Arrested In A Month-Long Drug Investigation
St. Mary detectives say the drug-ring investigation yielding nine arrests this month is still ongoing.
Lafayette School Board To Soon Explore Re-Zoning Options
Board members agree that the time has come to consider a plan for rezoning the school system's district lines.
Lafayette City Hall To Display “In God We Trust”
City-Parish President presented the council with the option to display the nation's motto.
LCG Council Adopts Unified Development Code
UDC estimated to take effect in December 0
U.S. Justice Dept. Reports Men Sentenced In Meth-Related Cases
One Houston man was sentenced to 20 years for conspiring in Texas-Louisiana drug ring.
Citizens Attempting To Sway Army Corps Of Engineers To Provide Coastal Protection
Citizens are concerned that the Army Corps of Engineers is overlooking southwest Louisiana's coastal protection priorities.
Council Retains One-Cent Sales Tax To Help Develop I-10 At Louisiana Avenue
Up to $3 million from tax will be used to build a frontage road and other infrastructure at 42-acre site.
National Book Provider Honors Milton Elementary Educator
Angel Rodrigue earns books for her classroom from national literature distributor, Booksource.
Lafayette Police Hosting Coffee With A Cop Tuesday
Join Lafayette policemen at McDonalds restaurants in Lafayette Tuesday.
Governor Declares State Of Emergency Throughout State
Severe weather still threatens south Louisiana through Tuesday.
Shots Fired At Festival International Not Reported To Police
Though sources claim shots were filed at the Festival Saturday evening, police have yet to receive any confirmation of the incident.
Two Louisiana Cities Warned To Be Vigilant Against Terrorist Sympathizers
ISIS urging domestic sympathizers to target U.S. cities where military servicemen and servicewomen call home.
School Board Selects Don Aguillard As Next Superintendent
Aguillard is a 40-year veteran to serving in Acadiana's education environment.
Board To Interview Three Finalists In Superintendent Search
Three finalists chosen from a field of 12 applicants will interview for top LPSS position Wednesday.
Early-Morning Easter Crash Claims Life Of Abbeville Man
Blanchard was ejected from his vehicle in crash around 1 a.m. on Highway 330.
‘Religious Freedom’ Debate Headed To Louisiana Capitol
Louisiana lawmakers will consider religious freedom bill similar to the ones that caused uproar in Indiana and Arkansas.