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.
Twenty-three Illinois counties were given 'F' grades for pollution in at least one of two categories: high ozone and particle pollution.
A man who is accused of being involved in a shooting at an Evanston park last week was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
The Illinois Section American Water Works Association recognized Evanston for water outreach, education and public communication.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities across the nation on its yearly Tree City USA list, which celebrates outstanding tree care.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities across the nation on its yearly Tree City USA list, which celebrates outstanding tree care.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities across the nation on its yearly Tree City USA list, which celebrates outstanding tree care.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities across the nation on its yearly Tree City USA list, which celebrates outstanding tree care.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities across the nation on its yearly Tree City USA list, which celebrates outstanding tree care.
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes cities across the nation on its yearly Tree City USA list, which celebrates outstanding tree care.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Highland Park from April 20-26.
The May 7 event in Downtown Highland Park will feature 35-plus women-owned businesses, demos and an afterparty.
A suburb strikes down any chances of data centers in town, and a national retailer quietly closes all of its stores: IL business news.
Check out these free opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather in Illinois.
Mini-grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 will support resident-led work on safety, beautification and access.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Winnetka and Glencoe from April 13-20.
Local authorities are asking for the public's help to identify a person connected to a fatal crash that occurred last week.
No injuries were reported, police said.
John Abendshein, of Lake Forest, was arrested on suspicion of possession of child sexual abuse material last week.
A string of vehicle burglaries that happened overnight in Wilmette this week is under investigation, police said.
Agriculture specialists intercepted two significant, prohibited commodities brought to the airport from African countries.
