Prepare for v2.6.1 release

[hwikle-lanl]

Code review checklist:

• Code is generally sensical and well commented
• Variable/function names all telegraph their purpose and contents
• Functions/classes have useful doc strings
• Function arguments are typed
• Added/modified unit tests to cover changes.
• New features have documentation added to the docs.
• New features and backwards compatibility breaks are noted in the RELEASE.md

[cielling]

Looks good!