In the summer of 2011, I accepted a position as a part-time reporter at KPEL. Since that time, I have covered all the major stories, including the disappearance and subsequent murder investigation of UL anthropology student Mickey Shunick, the approach and effects of Hurricane Isaac, and the 2012 Presidential election, with extensive reporting from Rick Santorum’s campaign rally in Lafayette. In December of 2013, I took over as KPEL's Brand Manager and Program Director. KPEL has grown a lot, and I hope to continue to guide that growth in the years to come.
Nathan Pike
Mistrial Possible In Calcasieu Parish Murder Case
Trial for an accused murderer resumes after the jury had to be sent home yesterday.
St. Tammany Middle School Under Fire For Cartoon Assignment
A middle school is in some hot water today after displaying political cartoons created for a class assignment. The Saint Tammany Parish School displayed a picture of President Barack Obama with a bullet hole painted on it.
Internet Sting Busts Sunset Man
A Sunset man behind bars after an internet sting operation.
Bank In Melville Robbed
Police working a bank robbery this afternoon.
The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office says the Farmer's State Bank in Melville was robbed earlier today.
They say two black males left the bank on foot, possible getting into a car.
One of the men is wearing jeans while the other is wearing a white wind suite...
Rayne Pharmacy Robbed
Police working an armed robbery at an Acadiana pharmacy.
Police in Rayne say a man robbed the Rayne Pharmacy at about 3:30 this afternoon. They say he used an assault rifle during the robbery, and he was covered from head to toe.
Police say he got away in a grey Grand Am with Louisiana license plate VKD011...
New Iberia Man Shoots At Two, Crashes Car Into Apartments After Chase
A New Iberia man who allegedly shot at two vehicles and then ran from police is now in custody.
Deputies in Iberia Parish say 26-year-old Joshua Smith shot at the two vehicles in New Iberia while he was driving his red Ford Mustang.
A short while later, police were able to track him down, but police say Smith took off on them, leading them on a car chase that eventually ended when Smith crashed hi
Acadia Deputies Searching For Victims Of Burglaries
Police are searching for more victims of an alleged robber. Deputies in Acadia Parish say 57-year-old Dennis Hanks, of Baton Rouge, stole more than 15 weapons from the area, and many of the victims have been identified.
Want All The Info for Mardi Gras? There’s An App For That
Need the latest Mardi Gras information? Well there's an app for that. The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association has unveiled a new app for both iPhone and Android devices.
Louisiana Insurer Debating Supreme Court Appeal
The state's insurer of last resort is debating whether it should go to the U.S. Supreme Court. The company was ordered to pay $93-million after it was found to have moved too slowly in handling claims from the 2005 hurricanes.
Environmental Group Accuses Energy Company Of Leaking Oil
Another energy company accused of spilling oil into the Gulf...but this time, accusers say the oil has flowed into the Gulf for years.
Governor Jindal Calls On LAE Director To Resign
Governor Bobby Jindal continues to criticize the state's largest teachers' union, this time calling for the resignation of the group's executive director. At the center of the controversy are comments Louisiana Federation of Teachers Executive Director Steve Monaghan made in an interview with the New Orleans Times Picayune.
Angry Eunice Woman Stabs Boyfriend For Slow Yard Work
A Eunice woman landing herself behind bars for getting mad at her boyfriend--and probably taking it a little too far. KPEL's Nathan Pike has more.
Eunice Police say Liquinta Vallier got more than a little upset when her boyfriend took a little while longer than expected to mw the grass...
Manufacturers Expanding As The Dow Makes Gains – Acadiana Business Index
Manufacturers had a great January while global markets surged. Mark Lasseigne has your stock market report on today's Acadiana Business Index.
Body Of Basile Man Found In Ditch
Police are investigating the death of a man who's body was found in a ditch.
Police in Acadia Parish say they found the body yesterday morning off the Basile Eunice Highway near Basile.
The body of the 58-year-old man has been taken to the Calcasieu Parish Cornoer's Office to undergo an autopsy...
Evangeline Parish Desegregation Attorney Asking For More Than $1 Million Fee
A desegregation case in Evangeline Parish is wrapping up, and now the deseg attorney wants the parish to pay up. Opelousas attorney Marion Overton White is asking for $1.6-million.
Congressman Jeff Landry Returns Office Money To Pay Down Debt
Congressman Jeff Landry calling on Congress to pay down the national debt--somewhat creatively. Landry, along with a group of seven freshman members, is calling on Speaker John Boehner to return nearly $1.5-million in unused office funds and use that money to pay down the debt.
Crowley Man Accused Of Having Sex With Juvenile
A man behind bars, accused of having sex with a child.
State Police say they got a complaint from Crowley Police that Randall Trahan allegeldy was having sex with the Acadia Parish girl. Police tell us Trahan allegedly had sex with her on at least three different occassions in August of last year...
Police Searching For Carencro Runaway
Police in Lafayette need your help finding a runaway. Sheriff's deputies say 15-year-old Tony Ray Pollard Junior of Carencro walked away from his school at N.P. Moss.
Festival International Releases Wednesday Lineup
Festival International de Louisiane has announced its Wednesday lineup.
The popular festival in downtown Lafayette will kickoff with Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys and Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers April 25.
Visit Festival International's website for a list of Wednesday's events. A comp...
St. Martinville Man Drowns While Fishing
A man drowns to death while fishing. Deputies in Iberia Parish say Roland James of St. Martinville slipped into the Teche Lake Canal and didn't come out.