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.
Sausage sculpting, and a massive sale is clearing the way for a new era at a troubled mall.
Highland Park native Chris Falcon commissioned the mural to share a message he needed as a child.
New permanent and visiting exhibitions will highlight Native history, art and hands-on learning in Evanston.
Residents questioned privacy, evidence of effectiveness and data use as Wilmette weighs a Flock contract extension.
Firefighters found a smoking dumpster and an active sprinkler system after a late-night alarm.
Patch has rounded up some ways to enjoy fall with friends and family.
"General Hospital's" Ronnie Marmo stars in the show, with "Criminal Minds'" Joe Mantegna directing the reopening production.
The Evanston family says the marathon effort is about inclusion, visibility and celebrating people with disabilities.
The crime blotter covers incidents in Winnetka and Glencoe from Sept. 14 through 23.
A juvenile driver was reversing from a parking space when the SUV accelerated forward into the business, police said.
The toy retailer said 160 standalone U.S. stores are expected to be open by the holiday season, including a new Illinois location.
State funding in the fiscal year 2027 budget will support Wilmette capital projects beyond the new police station.
Mayor Nancy Rotering said a park slide was defaced with a swastika and police are investigating.
The 20,000-square-foot Highland Park retail property is anchored by a freestanding Starbucks, the brokerage said.
U.S. News changed both its scoring formula and the categories in which many schools compete for this year's ranking.
Two confirmed cases were linked to the hotel, and the pool and hot tub areas have been closed, according to officials
During its Labor Day traffic safety campaign, the Skokie Police Department arrested one person and cited more than 100.
Mayor Daniel Biss is set to open the annual ride, which also includes live music and food trucks at Ridgeville Park.
The National Weather Service issued a warning through Wednesday due to dangerous conditions in Lake Michigan.
The National Weather Service issued a warning through Wednesday due to dangerous conditions in Lake Michigan.
