diff --git a/.bumpversion.cfg b/.bumpversion.cfg
index ee8f0fb6b4..aa6e23b6d9 100644
--- a/.bumpversion.cfg
+++ b/.bumpversion.cfg
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [bumpversion]
-current_version = 68.2.0
+current_version = 68.2.1
 commit = True
 tag = True
 
diff --git a/NEWS.rst b/NEWS.rst
index 82cd7bf5ff..5b86e1c43f 100644
--- a/NEWS.rst
+++ b/NEWS.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,21 @@
+v68.2.1
+=======
+
+Bugfixes
+--------
+
+- Avoid using caching attributes in ``Distribution.metadata`` for requirements.
+  This is done for backwards compatibility with customizations that attempt to
+  modify ``install_requires`` or ``extras_require`` at a late point (still not
+  recommended). (#4043)
+
+
+Misc
+----
+
+- #4045
+
+
 v68.2.0
 =======
 
diff --git a/newsfragments/4043.bugfix.rst b/newsfragments/4043.bugfix.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index e32728fe24..0000000000
--- a/newsfragments/4043.bugfix.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-Avoid using caching attributes in ``Distribution.metadata`` for requirements.
-This is done for backwards compatibility with customizations that attempt to
-modify ``install_requires`` or ``extras_require`` at a late point (still not
-recommended).
diff --git a/newsfragments/4045.misc.rst b/newsfragments/4045.misc.rst
deleted file mode 100644
index ce3de929ae..0000000000
--- a/newsfragments/4045.misc.rst
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-Update test dependency on ``build==1.0.3`` and
-add fallback for ``packaging==23.1`` (regarding ``Metadata`` validation).
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 5e86f65960..7d718377a7 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [metadata]
 name = setuptools
-version = 68.2.0
+version = 68.2.1
 author = Python Packaging Authority
 author_email = distutils-sig@python.org
 description = Easily download, build, install, upgrade, and uninstall Python packages