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.
After a United Airlines flight dropped a tire during its take-off in San Francisco, the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in LA.
After a United Airlines flight dropped a tire during its take-off in San Francisco, the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in LA.
A suspect believed to be responsible for the death of a man found in a stairwell at the Redondo Beach Pier Parking Structure was arrested.
The Orange County Sanitation construction project is anticipated to be a multiyear project, Seal Beach officials said.
A man died early Thursday morning after crashing into a wall in North Long Beach, police said.
According to police and LBUSD officials, the threat was deemed non-credible, and parents and students were never notified of the threat.
Public Health officials cautioned residents against swimming at local beaches for at least 72 hours after rainfall.
Public Health officials cautioned residents against swimming at local beaches for at least 72 hours after rainfall.
Public Health officials cautioned residents against swimming at local beaches for at least 72 hours after rainfall.
Public Health officials cautioned residents against swimming at local beaches for at least 72 hours after rainfall.
Public Health officials cautioned residents against swimming at local beaches for at least 72 hours after rainfall.
Orange County officials recently allocated funds to support a study that aims to mitigate the impact of trash and pollutants in Seal Beach.
Long Beach Police said they later found the suspect at a nearby hospital being treated for injuries sustained at the crime scene.
The community gathering offers the opportunity to gain insight into the city's trajectory directly from influential city leaders.
Election day has come and gone in Manhattan Beach and results are partially in.
Election day has come and gone in Redondo Beach and results are partially in.
Election day has come and gone in Seal Beach and unofficial results are in.
Election day has come and gone in Palos Verdes and results are partially in.
Election day has come and gone in Long Beach and unofficial results are in.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect as the storm moves into Los Angeles, bringing with it snow, thunderstorms and rain.
