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.
The Bay Foundation is offering Manhattan Beach residents the chance to aid in restoration efforts of the dunes along the city's shoreline.
Long Beach Community College District Board candidate Dick Gaylord called opponent Ennette Morton to concede the race on Tuesday.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Redondo Beach from Nov. 1 to 7.
A teen boy took himself to the hospital after he was shot while walking in Long Beach Sunday evening.
Packaging on the limited-edition "Wicked" dolls from Mattel led fans to an 18+ website rather than the film's official site.
Officers responding to a disturbance call early Monday morning chased after a man as he jumped into the Pacific Ocean.
A Michelin restaurant is caught in a financial investigation, and a home furnishing chain is closing: California Business News this week.
Seventeen, a music group from South Korea, were recognized at the meeting for their role as UNESCO's first goodwill ambassadors for youth.
The weekly crime summary covers incidents in Manhattan Beach from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.
The launch of the highly-anticipated speaker series will feature world-renowned photographer and author Cory Richards.
Friday is the last day for residents impacted by landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes to apply for the Voluntary Property Buyout Program.
A Long Beach man was arrested on suspicion of committing acts of sexual violence against multiple victims, including two minors.
A South Bay man pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday to 18 felony counts including murder and rape by use of a drug.
There are plenty of key races underway in Redondo Beach this 2024 General Election season.
There are plenty of key races underway in Manhattan Beach this 2024 General Election season.
There are plenty of key races underway in Long Beach this 2024 General Election season.
The Orange County Housing and Community Development Department invited Los Alamitos and Seal Beach residents to share their priorities.
Preliminary results are in for several races in the Palos Verdes Peninsula cities.
Preliminary results are in for several races in Manhattan Beach.
Preliminary results are in for a measure that would amend sections relating to "major changes in allowable land use" in the City Charter.
