diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 03f99e07..24d1a32a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@
 - Fixed the progress percentage displayed on the button when ignoring or only shuffling from shorts.
 <!--Releasenotes end-->
 
+## v3.1.9
+
+- Temporarily disabled the news feature.
+
 ## v3.1.8
 
 - The button's tooltip may now show additional information on the shuffle status.
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index de6bab72..b25bf810 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "random-youtube-video",
-  "version": "3.1.8",
+  "version": "3.1.9",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "random-youtube-video",
-      "version": "3.1.8",
+      "version": "3.1.9",
       "dependencies": {
         "@babel/runtime": "^7.18.6",
         "country-to-currency": "^1.1.5",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index bab7bc6f..4b987fce 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "random-youtube-video",
-  "version": "3.1.8",
+  "version": "3.1.9",
   "description": "Customize, shuffle and play random videos from any YouTube channel.",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "concurrently \"npm run dev:chromium\" \"npm run dev:firefox\"",
diff --git a/src/background.js b/src/background.js
index fd8f8d89..97c8de76 100644
--- a/src/background.js
+++ b/src/background.js
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ async function initExtension() {
 
 	await checkShufflePlusStatus();
 	await checkLocalStorageCapacity();
-	await checkForAndShowNews();
+	// TODO: Temporarily disabled due to too many read operations, need to investigate why
+	// await checkForAndShowNews();
 }
 
 // On every startup, we check the claim roles for the user
diff --git a/static/manifest.json b/static/manifest.json
index 95d809db..1d397ebd 100644
--- a/static/manifest.json
+++ b/static/manifest.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 	"name": "Random YouTube Video",
 	"author": "Nikkel Mollenhauer",
 	"description": "Customize, shuffle and play random videos from any YouTube channel.",
-	"version": "3.1.8",
+	"version": "3.1.9",
 	"version_name": "4.0.0-beta",
 	"manifest_version": 3,
 	"content_scripts": [