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.
A semitrailer rolled over and caught fire on the Edens Expressway early Tuesday morning in Skokie, killing one and hospitalizing another.
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Check out these restaurant options in Lake Forest that are perfect for Mother's Day.
The unique cultural journey will feature 52 different acts from 28 cultures, as well as food from around the globe.
"We are demanding a country that puts our families over their fortunes," organizers said
Authorities and medical personnel met a Southwest Airlines flight in Chicago after reports of a passenger defecating in their seat.
A Chicago visitor left with the ultimate souvenir and local distilleries challenge outdated laws: IL Business news this week.
Following the sudden resignation of a former School Board member, the Winnetka School Board began the search for a replacement.
Local distilleries throughout Illinois say the state's outdated laws limit the ability to get spirits to consumers that want them.
The man who opened fire at a 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park received seven consecutive life sentences Thursday.
The lineup for the 2025 Ravinia Festival includes more than 100 concerts spanning for three months, and tickets are on sale now.
According to reports, Rep. Jan Schakowsky is planning to announce her retirement next month.
Each student was judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in college.
Cook County police arrested a man accused of stealing from a cancer treatment facility this week.
Heading into Wednesday's sentencing hearing, Robert Crimo III faces life in prison for 69 counts of murder and attempted murder.
During the St. Patrick's Day enforcement period, Skokie police arrested eight people and issued over 100 citations.
Monday's Village Board Meeting in Skokie saw six trustees, the village clerk and the mayor sworn in before a packed room.
Fatpour Tap Works is hosting a Kentucky Derby watch party that will include restaurant specials, pony rides and a petting zoo.
Highland Park's weekly food and entertainment gathering, Food Truck Thursdays, is returning in June.
Complaining customers brutally attack waitress and $125,000 in merchandise missing in stolen FedEx trailer: IL Business news this week.
