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 a CA pizza chain selling under threat of bankruptcy, a Disneyland strike and Michelin Guide additions.
The crime blotter covers incidents in the Palos Verdes Peninsula from June 23-29.
After a high-speed chase in the San Fernando Valley, an unknown woman approached the stolen vehicle and convinced the driver to surrender.
A trio of South Bay suspects were charged with 10 armed robberies at pharmacies throughout Los Angeles over a six-week span, the DOJ said.
A trio of suspects were charged with 10 armed robberies at pharmacies throughout LA County over a six-week span, the DOJ said.
A group of burglars intentionally crashed into a shoe store in LA and made off with about $25,000 in shoes.
Seal Beach Police Department will join law enforcement across the nation in the event to promote strong police-community partnerships.
Redondo Beach Police Department will join law enforcement across the nation in the event to promote strong police-community partnerships.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are looking for local businesses to add to their catalogs of in-store and online products.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are looking for local businesses to add to their catalogs of in-store and online products.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are looking for local businesses to add to their catalogs of in-store and online products.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are looking for local businesses to add to their catalogs of in-store and online products.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are looking for local businesses to add to their catalogs of in-store and online products.
Several streets in Manhattan Beach will be shut down in preparation for and during the Chevron Grand Prix.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department will be holding a DUI checkpoint on July 12.
Kroger and Albertsons revealed they would sell hundreds of stores to secure approval for the completion of a $25 billion mega merger.
Kroger and Albertsons revealed they would sell hundreds of stores to secure approval for the completion of a $25 billion mega merger.
Kroger and Albertsons revealed they would sell hundreds of stores to secure approval for the completion of a $25 billion mega merger.
Kroger and Albertsons revealed they would sell hundreds of stores to secure approval for the completion of a $25 billion mega merger.
The Long Beach Rumble Boxing studio offers a variety of classes including a free intro class for first-timers and dynamic advanced classes.
