diff --git a/Include/patchlevel.h b/Include/patchlevel.h
index f5657527717..36673ae8091 100644
--- a/Include/patchlevel.h
+++ b/Include/patchlevel.h
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #define PY_RELEASE_SERIAL	0
 
 /* Version as a string */
-#define PY_VERSION      	"2.6.8"
+#define PY_VERSION      	"2.6.8+"
 /*--end constants--*/
 
 /* Subversion Revision number of this file (not of the repository) */
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index cdd3cf5d2c7..3e84155b250 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -2,6 +2,18 @@
 Python News
 +++++++++++
 
+What's New in Python 2.6.9 rc 1?
+================================
+
+*Release date: XXXX-XX-XX*
+
+Core and Builtins
+-----------------
+
+Library
+-------
+
+
 What's New in Python 2.6.8?
 ===========================