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: Federal Lawsuit Filed Against LPSO, 15th JDC For Unlawful Prisoner Treatment
The sheriff, and court officials, are under fire for holding people in jail on unreasonable bail bond rates.
Father, Son Arrested In Connection With Moss Bluff Elem. Shooting
Investigators say the father-and-son pair knew the gun was loaded and stored unsecured in the children's bedroom.
Lafayette PD Makes Massive, Historic Drug Bust
The Friday drug bust is the largest known cocaine seizure in the history of the Lafayette Police Department.
La. Students Top Arrests Tallies For Spring Break
Louisiana students earned the citation championship during the seven-week Spring Break season in Florida.
Derrick Stafford Sentenced To 40 years In Shooting of Jeremy Mardis
A state district judge has sentenced former Marksville City Marshal Derrick Stafford in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis.
Gov. Edwards Asking For An Additional $4 Billion For Flood Assistance
Gov. John Bel Edwards is once again appealing to the federal government for additional flood recovery funding.
In a letter to Pres. Barack Obama, Edwards requested more than $4 billion for disaster assistance for Louisiana floods in March and August 2016...
St. Martinville Landmarks Still Closed Following August Flood
Work continues at the Acadian Memorial and the neighboring Cultural Heritage Center that sit on the bank of the Bayou Teche.
Shreveport Pair Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking
A 14-year girl was the victim of prostitution and physical abuse at the hands of the suspects.
School Board Retaining “Stand Or Else” Policy For Daily Pledge Of Allegiance
School Board Instituting "Stand Or Else" Policy For Daily Pledge Of Allegiance
Funeral Being Held For Orlando Shooting Victim With Acadiana Ties
Frank Hernandez-Escalante's sister, an Acadiana resident, and the rest of his friends and family are mourning his loss this weekend.
State Plans To Use Food Stamp Data In Medicaid Expansion
State health department officials are hoping to gain federal approval for their plan to use food stamp data.
Shreveport Woman Defrauds Social Security For 19 Years
The woman pleaded guilty Wednesday for forging her husband's Social Security benefit checks. What's worse...he's been dead since 1986!