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 week in CA business news includes the best day of the week to shop online, a troubling new card skimmer scam, and $9 Build-A-Bears.
The Attorney General reminded the community that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal.
The weekly crime summary covers incidents in Manhattan Beach from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4.
The city is walking back on its previous decision made in July to prohibit street parking during all hours posted on street sweeping signs.
Beloved childhood characters will take people through the interactive Pixar Putt pop-up coming to Long Beach this month.
At this time, SoCalGas does not know when it will be safe to restore services to residents in the Portuguese Bend landslide area.
The fully funded trailer will be a crucial asset for safeguarding Seal Beach's coastline, officials said.
The weekly crime summary covers incidents in Manhattan Beach from Aug. 22 to 28.
A 29-year-old man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the February murder of a homeless man in Redondo Beach.
A man was shot and left in the parking lot of his apartment building in the South Bay, according to reports.
A 44-year-old man was arrested after a tussle with police in Seal Beach on Tuesday, authorities said.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as safety concerns in the Portuguese Bend community of Rancho Palos Verdes grow.
A 5-year-old boy is recovering after a mountain lion grabbed him by the head and began to run away during a family picnic.
Construction during the MOVE Culver City project will continue through the rest of the year, officials said.
The week in CA business news includes a restaurant mascot decapitated in a crash, a popular burger chain closing stores and free flowers.
Joins crowds of volunteers throughout Los Angeles County to honor its beaches by participating in 2024 Coastal Cleanup Day.
Joins crowds of volunteers throughout Los Angeles County to honor its beaches by participating in 2024 Coastal Cleanup Day.
Joins crowds of volunteers throughout Los Angeles County to honor its beaches by participating in 2024 Coastal Cleanup Day.
The Seal Beach Police Department will be holding a DUI checkpoint this Labor Day weekend.
The public was advised to avoid Will Rogers State Beach due to a 6,700-gallon spill of raw sewage, LA Public Health said.
