Rachel began reporting in 2017 at her community college publication in San Luis Obispo, California, where she covered stories about the city, including a hit-and-run that killed a college student and devastated the community.
She then transferred to California State University, Long Beach, working as news editor and later managing editor of the university's publication, the Long Beach Current. In Long Beach, Rachel covered several local interest stories, including breaking a story before city publications about illegal dumping on sacred Native American land, known as Puvungna, located on campus.
In college, Rachel was awarded first place for Best News Series at the California College Media Awards for her coverage of a shooting threat that impacted CSULB in 2019. She was also awarded second place at the California Journalism Awards for her enterprise news series "Behind the Scenes" that showcased lesser-known aspects of CSULB.
Just before her graduation in 2020, Rachel joined EdSource's first-ever student journalism corps and was part of a three-person team that published the first student-reported news story on the publication's website. The story detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic hit homeless and housing-insecure students in Los Angeles County hard and what unique struggles they faced during the tumultuous time.
Rachel started working at Patch in 2022, covering Los Angeles County's South Bay region and Long Beach. During her time as a Los Angeles reporter, Rachel covered a variety of topics, including a form of plastic pollution impacting the California coast called Nurdles. Rachel also featured on PBS show "Sustaining US" to inform the larger community about nurdles.
In Spring 2025, Rachel transferred to Patch's team of reporters in Illinois and now covers communities in Chicago's North Shore, including: Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest and Highland Park.
Outside of reporting, Rachel enjoys attending concerts, reading and playing Dungeons & Dragons. She has two cats named Bug and Beans, who are a general terror to society but are also incredibly lovable.
Pitches are welcome over email at rachel.barnes@patch.com. Please be respectful.
September is Coastal Cleanup Month, and on Saturday, Sept. 23, dozens of beach cleanups will take place across the shores of LA County.
September is Coastal Cleanup Month, and on Saturday, Sept. 23, dozens of beach cleanups will take place across the shores of LA County.
September is Coastal Cleanup Month, and on Saturday, Sept. 23, dozens of beach cleanups will take place across the shores of LA County.
September is Coastal Cleanup Month, and on Saturday, Sept. 23, dozens of beach cleanups will take place across the shores of LA County.
September is Coastal Cleanup Month, and on Saturday, Sept. 23, dozens of beach cleanups will take place across the shores of LA County.
A $6.1 million grant will help the Santa Monica Police Department enhance efforts to combat organized retail theft within the city.
A man was shot during a group argument in North Long Beach near the city of Paramount late Sunday night, according to police.
U.S. News & World Report significantly changed how it ranks colleges this year. See how the results affected California schools.
Two men who disappeared beneath the water of Lake Perris after a tubing accident were identified as South Bay residents, reports said.
The crime blotter covers incidents in the Palos Verdes Peninsula from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2.
Per new LA County bail protocols, most suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors will now be cited or booked and released.
Per new LA County bail protocols, most suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors will now be cited or booked and released.
Per new LA County bail protocols, most suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors will now be cited or booked and released.
Per new LA County bail protocols, most suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors will now be cited or booked and released.
Per new LA County bail protocols, most suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors will now be cited or booked and released.
Police were searching for a man Thursday who walked away from the Male Community Reentry Program Facility in Long Beach.
According to authorities, the officer sustained significant injuries, but she remains in stable condition at a local hospital.
Per new LA County bail protocols, most suspects arrested for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors will now be cited or booked and released.
A man is in critical condition after he was shot early Wednesday morning in the Alamitos Beach neighborhood, Long Beach police said.
City officials celebrated the installation of new parcourse exercise equipment at the fitness area on the Manhattan Beach Strand on Tuesday.
