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.
Wayfair is offering deals and entertainment to community members to celebrate the first birthday of its flagship store in Wilmette.
The man trafficked fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana in the Chicago suburbs while possessing multiple guns.
Food service workers at Northwestern University were on strike for 12 days in hopes of receiving better pay and benefits.
Highland Park residents have until May 31 to sign up to participate in this year's Independence Day parade.
An ex-employee hurls slurs over 6 hours of pay and how students managed $50k of their teacher's money: IL Business news this week.
Residents of Evanston share their best shots with the community.
A Highland Park man involved in a fatal Fort Sheridan beach fight was found guilty of committing arson while out on bail in 2022.
The new 30,000 square foot indoor mini golf course will move into the former department store space, offering elevated gameplay.
"In the name of the gravy, the bun, and hot giard," Portillo's introduces The Leo, a divinely seasoned Italian beef sandwich.
Biss is the latest candidate to throw his hat in the ring in the race for representative in Illinois' 9th Congressional District.
As the weather heats up in the North Shore, so will taste buds at the annual Inferno Fest in Highwood.
Former scout for the Cincinnati Bengals, Christian Sarkisian, will be the new General Manager for Northwestern's athletic department.
Nurses at this Lake Forest hospital were honored with the highest level of distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
One Lake Forest hospital was one of 10 in the country to earn patient safety, patient experience and America's Best Hospital distinctions.
Severe thunderstorms and elevated fire danger are expected to impact Skokie later this week, forecasters say.
Severe thunderstorms and elevated fire danger are expected to impact Evanston later this week, forecasters say.
Severe thunderstorms and elevated fire danger are expected to impact Wilmette later this week, forecasters say.
Severe thunderstorms and elevated fire danger are expected to impact Winnetka later this week, forecasters say.
Severe thunderstorms and elevated fire danger are expected to impact Highland Park later this week, forecasters say.
Severe thunderstorms and elevated fire danger are expected to impact Lake Forest later this week, forecasters say.