diff --git a/Include/patchlevel.h b/Include/patchlevel.h
index d599c9702ce..2a01bd530ed 100644
--- a/Include/patchlevel.h
+++ b/Include/patchlevel.h
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 #define PY_RELEASE_SERIAL	1
 
 /* Version as a string */
-#define PY_VERSION      	"3.1.3rc1"
+#define PY_VERSION      	"3.1.3rc1+"
 /*--end constants--*/
 
 /* Subversion Revision number of this file (not of the repository) */
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 6f1dd3e691c..7fb9717494c 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -2,6 +2,18 @@
 Python News
 +++++++++++
 
+What's New in Python 3.1.3?
+===========================
+
+*Release date: XXXX-XX-XX*
+
+Core and Builtins
+-----------------
+
+Library
+-------
+
+
 What's New in Python 3.1.3 release candidate 1?
 ===============================================