diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
index 56bcd01..c382844 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ assignees: ""
 - [ ] All PRs/issues attached to the release are merged.
 - [ ] All the badges on the README are passing.
 - [ ] License information is verified as correct. If you are unsure, please comment below.
+- [ ] The `FALLBACK_VERSION` in `setup.py` has been updated to the latest version on PyPI.
 - [ ] Locally rendered documentation contains all appropriate pages, including API references (check no modules are
       missing), tutorials, and other human-written text is up-to-date with any changes in the code.
 - [ ] Installation instructions in the README, documentation, and the website are updated.
diff --git a/news/release_checkout.rst b/news/release_checkout.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d62d05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/release_checkout.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+**Added:**
+
+* No News Added: Add item to check `FALLBACK_VERSION` to latest version on PyPI
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>