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: All Lanes Open Near I-10 Crash Site
If you need to head to Baton Rouge from the Acadiana area, get off of I-10 at the 1-49 exit.
Downtown Library Evacuated
The Main Branch of the Lafayette Public Library is being evacuated at this hour amid a fire alarm activation.
According to the Lafayette Parish 911 system, the fire alarm was activated at 4:10 p.m.
The Lafayette Fire Department is currently on the scene...
Line Of Storms Cause Acadiana Power Outages
Thousands are without power in Acadiana following a line of storms early this morning.
Saints, Pelicans Owner Tom Benson Dead at 90
New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson has died.
TownSquare Media Cameras Capture Vehicle Burglary In Progress (VIDEO)
These brazen burglars were caught in the act by our in-house surveillance system.
Most Acadiana Schools Set To Resume Class On Friday
School districts are determining if any cold weather damage will hinder Friday's attendance.
Schools Closed Today Due To Winter Storm Advisory
The following schools will be closed due to freeze warnings for Tuesday, January 16th.
Law Enforcement Investigating Suspicious Package At Target
The public is advised to avoid the area until the retail center is deemed safe.
UPDATE: Bank Teller Shot During Armed Robbery In Broussard
Schools are currently under lockdown while police search for the suspect of an armed robbery in Broussard.
UL Football Fan Survey Yields Big Changes At Cajun Field
Improved concessions, a new turf and interactive fan activities are just the beginning of the improved fan experience being unveiled this season.
Leonard Fournette Donates Trophies For A New Use
A Jacksonville-area high school will be given the trophies, but after some major modifications.
Cox To Begin Charging Residents For Data Usage
BIG changes are coming next week for the way South Louisiana Cox Communications' residential internet subscribers will be charged.
Vermilion Parish Officials Issue Voluntary Evacuation Orders
Those who live in low-lying areas are being encouraged to find shelter elsewhere.
LSP: Missing Children Alert Canceled (UDPATED)
The Level II Endangered/Missing Child Media Advisory for Easton Alfred and Endie Dacosta has been canceled.
BREAKING: LPD Arrest Suspect In Connection With Jefferson St. Shooting
But investigators are still looking for the suspect who definitively fired the fatal shot.
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.
I-10 Traffic At A Crawl Near Butte La Rose Near Big Rig Crash
An 18-wheeler flipped over am I-10 WB guardrail near Butte LaRose.
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.
UL Softball Coach Recieves State-Of-The-Art Medical Treatment In Lafayette
UL softball Coach Michael Lotief has become the first person in the nation to receive a state-of-the art tracheostomy valve.
UPDATE: I-10 Completely Reopened After Tanker Spill (Photos)
The tanker leaking molten sulfur had traffic backed up for hours.