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
La. House Candidate Stands By Anti-Islam Sentiments
Last week, Duke Lowrie stood by his anti-Islam sentiments that he posted on Facebook in 2015.
Space Pioneer John Glenn Dead At 95
Glenn served the U.S as a Marine Corps pilot, a pioneering astronaut, and a former U.S. Senator.
Mr. Edwards Goes To Washington… Again
Gov. John Bel Edwards is making another push for additional flood relief funds from federal officials.
State’s Budget Shortfall Leads To 60% Cut In TOPS Payments
College-bound students who use TOPS to pay tuition should expect to shoulder 60 percent of their tuition for the Spring 2017 semester.
Lawsuit: Clay Higgins Owes $100K in Child Support
The lawsuit states Higgins is on the hook for back child support payments for three children.
Angelle, Higgins Face Off For 3rd Congressional District Seat
In the 3rd Congressional District, two Republicans--Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins--will face each other in a runoff on Dec. 10.
Impaired Mother Crashes Vehicle With Four Children As Passengers
The children ages--8, 5, 3, and 1-- were taken to area hospitals after being rescued from the burning vehicle by a good Samaritan.
Alabama Fans Arrested For Vandalizing Tiger Stadium’s Midfield Logo
A pair of teenagers were cited with criminal trespassing for breaking into Tiger Stadium early Saturday morning.
Jury: Ackal Not Guilty Of Civil Rights Charges
The jury in the federal civil rights trial involving Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal have returned not guilty verdicts.
Lafayette Man Sentenced For Stealing $1.5 Million From His Disabled Sister
The defendant was appointed the curator for his sister's estate when she was unable to manage her own affairs following an auto accident.
Mother & 2 Infants Killed In Kaplan House Fire Sunday
The State Fire Marshal’s Office suspects that an electrical malfunction may have sparked a house fire yielding three fatalities in Kaplan Sunday morning.
Russian Requests to Monitor Elections In La. Denied
Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler's office--which is in charge of overseeing elections within the state--quickly denied the requests.