diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 862454851..7a1bcbed1 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -4,6 +4,33 @@ conda-smithy Change Log
 
 .. current developments
 
+v3.44.0
+====================
+
+**Added:**
+
+* Added ``pixi`` as valid ``conda_install_tool`` option.
+  Includes several preconfigured tasks like ``build``,  ``debug``, ``rerender``, or ``lint``. (#2099)
+* Added hints for new ``noarch: python`` syntax for CFEP-25. (#2115)
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* Moved automerge to a central repository. (#2112)
+* Upgraded Github Actions ``actions/upload-artifact`` to v4.4.3. (#2113)
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* Rerendering now removes old GHA service files. (#2112)
+
+**Authors:**
+
+* Matthew R. Becker
+* Jaime Rodríguez-Guerra
+* pre-commit-ci[bot]
+* dependabot[bot]
+
+
+
 v3.43.2
 ====================
 
diff --git a/news/2099-pixi b/news/2099-pixi
deleted file mode 100644
index 4ac61962f..000000000
--- a/news/2099-pixi
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-**Added:**
-
-* Added ``pixi`` as valid ``conda_install_tool`` option.
-  Includes several preconfigured tasks like ``build``,  ``debug``, ``rerender``, or ``lint``. (#2099)
-
-**Changed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Deprecated:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Removed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Fixed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Security:**
-
-* <news item>
diff --git a/news/2112-remove-GHA-services.rst b/news/2112-remove-GHA-services.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index 47277c482..000000000
--- a/news/2112-remove-GHA-services.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-**Added:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Changed:**
-
-* Moved automerge to a central repository. (#2112)
-
-**Deprecated:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Removed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Fixed:**
-
-* Rerendering now removes old GHA service files. (#2112)
-
-**Security:**
-
-* <news item>
diff --git a/news/2113-gha-bump.rst b/news/2113-gha-bump.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index 207d399d7..000000000
--- a/news/2113-gha-bump.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-**Added:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Changed:**
-
-* Upgraded Github Actions ``actions/upload-artifact`` to v4.4.3. (#2113)
-
-**Deprecated:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Removed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Fixed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Security:**
-
-* <news item>
diff --git a/news/2115-noarch-python-hints.rst b/news/2115-noarch-python-hints.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index 2104a7ba8..000000000
--- a/news/2115-noarch-python-hints.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-**Added:**
-
-* Added hints for new ``noarch: python`` syntax for CFEP-25. (#2115)
-
-**Changed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Deprecated:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Removed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Fixed:**
-
-* <news item>
-
-**Security:**
-
-* <news item>