diff --git a/docs/release_notes.py b/docs/release_notes.py
index 97956038..16baef98 100644
--- a/docs/release_notes.py
+++ b/docs/release_notes.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def parse_pre_release_file(path):
     Uses empty list when no info was entered for the section.
     """
     print(f'Checking {path} for release notes.')
-    with path.open('r') as fd:
+    with path.open('r', encoding='utf-8') as fd:
         lines = fd.readlines()
 
     section_dict = defaultdict(list)
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def extend_release_notes(path, version, release_notes):
     """
     Given dict mapping of section to lines, extend the release notes file.
     """
-    with path.open('r') as fd:
+    with path.open('r', encoding='utf-8') as fd:
         lines = fd.readlines()
 
     new_lines = ['\n', '\n']
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def extend_release_notes(path, version, release_notes):
     print('Writing out release notes file')
     for line in new_lines:
         print(line.strip('\n'))
-    with path.open('w') as fd:
+    with path.open('w', encoding='utf-8') as fd:
         fd.writelines(output_lines)
 
 
diff --git a/docs/source/release_notes.rst b/docs/source/release_notes.rst
index 7471198b..d72d3816 100644
--- a/docs/source/release_notes.rst
+++ b/docs/source/release_notes.rst
@@ -1,6 +1,23 @@
 Release History
 ###############
 
+v3.1.0 (2023-12-05)
+===================
+
+Features
+--------
+- Add overridable ``find_signal`` method to the ``SignalConnection`` class to allow
+  the use of alternate signal registries in subclasses.
+- Updated look and feel: change the typhos suite cli defaults to
+  "embedded" displays arranged "vertically" instead of
+  "detailed" displays arranged "horizontally"
+  to more naturally match how typhos is used at present.
+
+Contributors
+------------
+- canismarko
+- zllentz
+
 
 v3.0.0 (2023-09-27)
 ===================
diff --git a/docs/source/upcoming_release_notes/595-maint_cli_defaults.rst b/docs/source/upcoming_release_notes/595-maint_cli_defaults.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index ec6a46d3..00000000
--- a/docs/source/upcoming_release_notes/595-maint_cli_defaults.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-595 maint_cli_defaults
-######################
-
-API Breaks
-----------
-- Default typhos suites to "embedded" displays arranged "vertically" instead of
-  "detailed" displays arranged "horizontally" to more naturally match how typhos is
-  used at present.
-
-Features
---------
-- N/A
-
-
-Bugfixes
---------
-- N/A
-
-Maintenance
------------
-- N/A
-
-Contributors
-------------
-- zllentz