diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index d1d2823..4549d0f 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Package: RKorAPClient
 Type: Package
 Title: 'KorAP' Web Service Client Package
-Version: 0.8.0.9000
+Version: 0.8.1
 Authors@R:
     c(person(given = "Marc",
              family = "Kupietz",
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index c101aa4..1fdc1a1 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+# RKorAPClient 0.8.1
+
+- fixed R 4.4 compatibility of collocationAnalysis function
+- replaced deprecated legend.position (ggplot2)
+- fixed rare frequencyQuery incompatibility with outdated KorAP instances (see https://github.com/KorAP/Kustvakt/issues/668)
+
+
 # RKorAPClient 0.8.0
 
 - added `textMetadata` KorAPConnection method to retrieve all metadata for a text based on its sigle
diff --git a/cran-comments.md b/cran-comments.md
index 5cbeed3..5b10b1a 100644
--- a/cran-comments.md
+++ b/cran-comments.md
@@ -1,5 +1,27 @@
 ## Notes
 
+* release with minor fixes to ensure R 4.4.0 compatibility
+
+```
+0 errors ✔ | 0 warnings ✔ | 0 notes ✔
+
+R CMD check succeeded
+```
+
+## Test environments
+
+* local Fedora 40 with R versions 4.3.2 and 4.4.0
+* github workflow on Windows with R 4.4.0
+* github workflow on macOS 14.4.1 with R 4.4.0
+* github workflow on Ubuntu with R 4.3.3
+* github workflow on Ubuntu with R 4.4.0
+* github workflow on Ubuntu with R Under development (4.5.0)
+* win-builder workflow using R Under development (unstable) (2024-05-01 r86507 ucrt)
+
+### Old Notes
+
+#### Notes on 0.8.0
+
 * release with some new features and internal changes that should not affect CRAN
   compatibility