The West Side’s Original Voice
Born in Port Allen, rooted in West Baton Rouge. The West Side Journal is a community-driven publication covering local life, home, garden, and the stories that shape our corner of Louisiana.
Where local news, good dirt, and real life come together.
Our Roots
The West Side Journal has been part of the fabric of West Baton Rouge Parish since 1936, when L.D. Young transformed the Port Allen Observer into the publication the community knows and trusts today.
For nearly nine decades, the Journal has documented the milestones, the everyday moments, and the people that make Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, and the surrounding communities unlike anywhere else in Louisiana.
Now, we’re turning the page. While our commitment to West Baton Rouge remains the same, we’re expanding our coverage to reflect how people actually live today — from the local stories that matter to the homes and gardens we build our lives around.
Who we are
Rachel Simmons
Local & Community Editor Rachel grew up in Baton Rouge and has spent the last twelve years covering parish politics, school boards, and the stories that don’t make the evening news but matter most to the people who live them. Before joining The West Side Journal, she worked as a reporter for regional outlets across southern Louisiana.
Derek Coleman
Home & Renovation Writer Derek is a former general contractor turned writer who traded his tool belt for a keyboard — though he still can’t resist a good before-and-after. He covers everything from weekend DIY fixes to full-scale renovation projects, with a focus on practical advice that works for real budgets.
Megan Howell
Garden & Lifestyle Editor Megan has been writing about plants, food, and everyday living for nearly a decade. She’s obsessed with Louisiana’s growing seasons, swears by raised beds, and has strong opinions about when to plant tomatoes. Her writing covers everything from backyard gardening and seasonal recipes to the small rituals that make a house feel like home.
Our Mission
We believe great local journalism and lifestyle content belong together.
The same community that cares about parish news, school board decisions, and Friday night football also wants practical advice on making their home more comfortable, their garden more productive, and their daily routines more intentional.
The West Side Journal brings it all under one roof — because life on the West Side isn’t just about what happens at the courthouse. It’s about what happens at your kitchen table, in your backyard, and on your front porch.
Same name, same heart, new chapter
The West Side Journal is being reimagined for a new era — one where local journalism and lifestyle content work hand in hand to serve the people of West Baton Rouge.
We’re a small, independent team with deep ties to this community. We know these streets, we shop at these stores, and we care about the same things you do — because this is home.
Every story we publish, whether it’s about a zoning decision or a backyard garden transformation, is written with the same goal: to make life on the West Side a little better, a little richer, and a little more connected.