Rachel Otwell
Rachel's reports currently focus on education and equity. She's also reported extensively on arts, community & diverse culture.
She's a graduate of the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois Springfield, and while obtaining that degree she spent a legislative session covering news for Illinois Public Radio with a focus on fracking. Rachel also holds degrees in Liberal & Integrative Studies, Women & Gender Studies and African-American Studies. She's tutored Rwandan refugees in Ohio, volunteered at a Kenyan orphanage, served as an activities assistant at a nursing home and volunteered at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.
Rachel started a career in public media in 2011 when she interned for the National Public Radio program Tell Me More with Michel Martin in Washington, D.C. Her reports have also appeared on NPR, WorkingNow.org, and 51%.
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As news has centered on the plight of hundreds of families who have been separated while trying to enter the US through Mexico, concern has been raised...
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Immigrants' rights advocates are close to celebrating what they consider a win in Illinois, especially for domestic abuse survivors. They are hoping Gov...
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A theatrical and punk rock venture in Champaign–Urbana has become an empowering part of the arts scene there.
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The local communities say it's a way those in the politically divided state of Illinois plan to take a stand against gun-restrictions the state's Democrats are trying to pass.
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President Donald Trump’s administration has been in power for a year now. “State of Trump” is our series discussing what’s changed in Illinois, and what...
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Trump campaigned on building a wall between the border of Mexico and the U.S. While it appears he's willing to scale back that effort, targeting...
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President Donald Trump’s administration has been in power for a year now. “State of Trump” is our series discussing what’s changed in the state, and...
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While across the country hate crime rates rose after the presidential election, Illinois has passed some laws addressing the issue. According to the...
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In the wake of Harvey Weinstein's downfall due to sexual assault and harassment claims from numerous women - it's glaringly apparent that the issue is...
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About a hundred students traveled to Washington D.C. last week to urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act . Among them was Bruna Cardoso, a University of...