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 beloved holiday tradition kicks off, and what will happen to the three big lottery prizes that are still unclaimed.
The Village of Winnetka's Stormwater Improvements Project received an award for its innovative approach to flood prevention.
A Black couple from Illinois were discharged from an Indiana hospital while the mother was in active labor, forcing a roadside birth.
A procedural error caught at Monday's meeting prompted an extra meeting to vote on a fourth school closure scenario.
Santa, sweets and songs are set to bring the Winnetka community together in time-honored fashion in Dwyer Park early next month.
These Illinois restaurants are among the best in the country, according to reviews from diners on OpenTable.
Two Evanston pastors face misdemeanor charges after they were arrested outside the Broadview ICE facility on Nov. 14.
After hours of emotional appeals from the public and discussion from the board, no definitive decisions were made.
In "Home But Alone No More," the Winnetka landmark's original owner details what it was like to live in the setting of a Christmas classic.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Highland Park from Nov. 10-16.
From Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, Evanston police will be on the lookout for impaired and distracted drivers.
Reservations for Thanksgiving, which is on Nov. 27 this year, will fill up quickly.
Reservations for Thanksgiving, which is on Nov. 27 this year, will fill up quickly.
Reservations for Thanksgiving, which is on Nov. 27 this year, will fill up quickly.
Reservations for Thanksgiving, which is on Nov. 27 this year, will fill up quickly.
Reservations for Thanksgiving, which is on Nov. 27 this year, will fill up quickly.
Reservations for Thanksgiving, which is on Nov. 27 this year, will fill up quickly.
From Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, Skokie police will be on the lookout for impaired and distracted drivers.
Wild Onion Market invites the community to join in an afternoon of community and culture in Celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
The Wilmette Village Board unanimously passed an ordinance aimed at protecting immigrants within the community.
