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.
Complaining customers brutally attack waitress and $125,000 in merchandise missing in stolen FedEx trailer: IL Business news this week.
Residents of Evanston share their best shots with the community.
For the first time in its 62-year history, beloved Chicago fast-food chain Portillo's is trying out breakfast this summer.
Easter Sunday is right around the corner. Do you know where you're toasting the holiday?
Lifelong lover of nature, Paula Lillard donated $1 million to support the preservation of land in Lake Forest in honor of her late husband.
Art festival production company Amdur Productions Inc. announced its 2025 season of events, including many in the North Shore.
"A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness" will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Smashing Pumpkins' third album.
Evanston's city offices completed the move to downtown at the end of March.
Northwestern University and former Wildcats football players have agreed to settle lawsuits that alleged violent hazing and sexual abuse.
North Shore Country Day's rising track star will travel to Los Angeles to compete at the most competitive track meet in the U.S.
Construction for the new Wilmette Police Station is projected to start up in spring 2026, officials said.
Two suspected drug traffickers were arrested in Lake Forest with more than two kilograms of cocaine in a car, law enforcement said.
Staring Monday, Evanston foodies can sample a variety of foods from 14 restaurants during Central Street Restaurant Week.
Residents of Evanston share their best shots with the community.
Residents of Wilmette and Kenilworth share their best shots with the community.
Millions on the line for mystery jackpot winner and the Chicago food scene takes home more awards: IL Business news this week.
Illinois dispensary nuEra partnered with Jeppson's Malört to offer the THC-infused HIGH Five shot at all nuEra locations.
Residents of Wilmette and Glencoe share their best shots with the community.
Residents of Highland Park share their best shots with the community.
The Windy City ranked second in Food & Wine's ranking of the top food cities in the U.S.
