diff --git a/.github/workflows/documentation.yaml b/.github/workflows/documentation.yaml
index 0af1c868..ae771cba 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/documentation.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/documentation.yaml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ on:
       - docs/**
   pull_request:
     types: [opened, reopened, synchronize]
+  workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:
   documentation:
@@ -21,11 +22,10 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v6
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
-          python-version: '3.10'
+          python-version: '3.12'
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: |
-          python -m pip install --upgrade python-dateutil requests sphinx \
-          sphinx-gallery matplotlib Pillow sphinx_rtd_theme
+          python -m pip install --upgrade python-dateutil requests matplotlib Pillow
           python -m pip install -r docs/requirements.txt
       - name: Build docs
         run: ./.github/jobs/build_documentation.sh   
@@ -40,3 +40,9 @@ jobs:
           name: documentation_warnings.log
           path: artifact/doc_warnings.log
           if-no-files-found: ignore
+      - name: Check links
+        uses: dtcenter/metplus-action-linkcheck@v1
+        with:
+          fail-on-broken-links: 'true'
+          upload-artifact: 'true'
+          install-package: 'true'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/linkcheck.yml b/.github/workflows/linkcheck.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 305c6dce..00000000
--- a/.github/workflows/linkcheck.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-name: Linkcheck
-on:
-  schedule:
-    - cron: '0 6 * * 1'
-  pull_request:
-    paths:
-      - 'docs/**'
-  workflow_dispatch: {}
-
-jobs:
-  linkcheck:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: dtcenter/metplus-action-linkcheck@v1
-        with:
-          fail-on-broken-links: 'true'
-          upload-artifact: 'true'
-          install-package: 'true'
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/bar.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/bar.rst
index 4c84c8ae..53337d00 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/bar.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/bar.rst
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ To generate the above bar plot, perform the following:
 * Enter the following command:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/bar/bar.py $WORKING_DIR/custom_bar.yaml
 
 *  A **bar.png** output file will be created in the directory that was
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/box.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/box.rst
index d70c9c13..f3a6b5ff 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/box.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/box.rst
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ Copy this custom config file from the directory where the source code was
 saved to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/box/custom_box.yaml $WORKING_DIR/custom_box.yaml
 
 Modify the *stat_input* setting in the
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/contour.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/contour.rst
index 4581e337..3692cb93 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/contour.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/contour.rst
@@ -180,13 +180,13 @@ perform the following:
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     setenv METPLOTPY_BASE $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   Recall that *$METPLOTPY_BASE* is the directory path indicating where the METplotpy source code was saved.
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/eclv.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/eclv.rst
index 5fcebb7d..fff73017 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/eclv.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/eclv.rst
@@ -187,13 +187,13 @@ perform the following:
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     setenv METPLOTPY_BASE $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   Recall that *$METPLOTPY_BASE* is the directory path indicating where the METplotpy source code was saved.
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/histogram.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/histogram.rst
index 2237edf8..a0900595 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/histogram.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/histogram.rst
@@ -268,13 +268,13 @@ perform the following:
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     setenv METPLOTPY_BASE $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   Recall that *$METPLOTPY_BASE* is the directory path indicating where the METplotpy source code was saved.
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ perform the following:
   command using the **prob_hist.yaml** file:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/histogram/prob_hist.py $WORKING_DIR/prob_hist.yaml
 
   .. image:: figure/prob_hist.png
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/histogram_2d.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/histogram_2d.rst
index 4f3d20c2..2213e35a 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/histogram_2d.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/histogram_2d.rst
@@ -211,14 +211,14 @@ Perform the following:
 * Clone the METplotpy repository from GitHub.  First, make the directory:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
      mkdir $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
 * *$METPLOTPY_BASE* is the directory where the source code is66TAW saved.
   Enter the following:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
       cd $METPLOTPY_BASE
       git clone https://github.com/dtcenter/METplotpy
 
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/installation.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/installation.rst
index fec8f9a1..bdbc8a08 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/installation.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/installation.rst
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ find the **setup.py** script.
 From the command line run:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   pip install -e .
 
 Do NOT forget the ending period **'.'**  This indicates the **setup.py**
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/line.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/line.rst
index 45549dba..56dc444d 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/line.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/line.rst
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ Copy this custom config file from the directory where the source code was
 saved to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/line/custom_line.yaml $WORKING_DIR/custom_line.yaml
 
 
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ To generate the above plot using the **line_defaults.yaml** and
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/performance_diagram.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/performance_diagram.rst
index fcdd85b4..9c6cfdd2 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/performance_diagram.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/performance_diagram.rst
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ a *plot_filename* in the **minimal_performance_diagram.yaml** file):
 Copy this file to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/performance_diagram/minimal_performance_diagram.yaml $WORKING_DIR/minimal_performance_diagram.yaml
 
 Add the *stat_input* (input data) and *plot_filename*
@@ -245,13 +245,13 @@ perform the following:
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     setenv METPLOTPY_BASE $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   Replacing the $METPLOTPY_BASE with the directory where the
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ perform the following:
   command using the **custom_performance_diagram.yaml** file:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/performance_diagram/performance_diagram.py $WORKING_DIR/custom_performance_diagram.yaml
 
   .. image:: figure/performance_diagram_custom.png
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/reliability_diagram.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/reliability_diagram.rst
index b23bd1f5..774feb2f 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/reliability_diagram.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/reliability_diagram.rst
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ Perform the following:
 * Enter the following command:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/reliability_diagram/reliability.py $WORKING_DIR/custom_reliability_diagram.yaml
 
   In this example, this custom config file changes the color of the boxes.
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/roc_diagram.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/roc_diagram.rst
index a1672869..b652311a 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/roc_diagram.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/roc_diagram.rst
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ Perform the following:
 * Enter the following command:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/roc_diagram/roc_diagram.py $WORKING_DIR/custom_roc_diagram.yaml
 
   In this example, this custom config file changes the title and axis
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/scatter.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/scatter.rst
index b940df77..7732e948 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/scatter.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/scatter.rst
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ Copy this custom config file from the directory where the source code was
 saved to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/scatter/test_scatter_mpr.yaml $WORKING_DIR/custom_scatter.yaml
 
 
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ To generate the above plot using the **scatter_defaults.yaml** and
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/taylor_diagram.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/taylor_diagram.rst
index 8b29dea8..c23a0309 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/taylor_diagram.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/taylor_diagram.rst
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ a *plot_filename* in the **minimal_taylor_diagram.yaml** file):
 Copy this file to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/taylor_diagram/minimal_taylor_diagram.yaml $WORKING_DIR/minimal_taylor_diagram.yaml
 
 If the *stat_input* and *plot_filename* settings (output file/plot path) are missing, add
@@ -226,13 +226,13 @@ perform the following:
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     setenv METPLOTPY_BASE $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   Replacing the $METPLOTPY_BASE with the directory where the
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ perform the following:
   command (below) using the **taylor_diagram_custom.yaml** file:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/taylor_diagram/taylor_diagram.py $WORKING_DIR/taylor_diagram_custom.yaml
 
 
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/tcmpr_plots.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/tcmpr_plots.rst
index b0091190..52c1b565 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/tcmpr_plots.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/tcmpr_plots.rst
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ Copy this custom config file from the directory where the source code was
 saved to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/tcmpr_plots/tcmpr_multi_plots.yaml $WORKING_DIR/tcmpr_multi_plots.yaml
 
 Set up the custom configuration file:
diff --git a/docs/Users_Guide/wind_rose.rst b/docs/Users_Guide/wind_rose.rst
index fd769a1d..e9213c9e 100644
--- a/docs/Users_Guide/wind_rose.rst
+++ b/docs/Users_Guide/wind_rose.rst
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ a *plot_filename* in the **minimal_wind_rose.yaml** file):
 Copy this file to the working directory:
 
 .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
   cp $METPLOTPY_BASE/test/wind_rose/minimal_wind_rose.yaml $WORKING_DIR/minimal_wind_rose.yaml
 
 Add the *stat_input* (input data) and *plot_filename*
@@ -249,13 +249,13 @@ perform the following:
   For the ksh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     export METPLOTPY_BASE=$METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   For the csh environment:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     setenv METPLOTPY_BASE $METPLOTPY_BASE
 
   Replacing the $METPLOTPY_BASE with the directory where the
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ perform the following:
   command using the **wind_rose_custom.yaml** file:
 
   .. code-block:: ini
-		
+
     python $METPLOTPY_BASE/metplotpy/plots/wind_rose/wind_rose.py $WORKING_DIR/wind_rose_custom.yaml
 
   .. image:: figure/wind_rose_custom.png
diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index f01bea26..c61bb552 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -106,16 +106,8 @@
 linkcheck_workers = 8
 
 linkcheck_ignore = [
-    # add regex patterns for URLs that should be skipped, e.g.:
-    # r'https://dtcenter\.org/.*',   # if this site blocks automated requests
-    # r'https://matplotlib\.org/.*',        # occasionally rate-limits automated clients
-    # r'https://scitools\.org\.uk/cartopy/.*',  # occasionally slow
-    r'https://doi\.org/.*', # DOI redirectors often 403 non-browser requests
-    # bmcnoldy.rsmas.miami.edu sends an incomplete SSL certificate chain
-    # (missing intermediate cert). Browsers work around this via AIA
-    # fetching; curl/Python do not. Confirmed 2026-07 via curl -v
-    # ("SSL certificate problem: unable to get local issuer certificate").
-    # Re-check periodically and remove once fixed server-side.
+    # incomplete TLS certificate chain that browsers tolerate but Python does not,
+    # and often unreachable; check by hand
     r'https://bmcnoldy\.rsmas\.miami\.edu/.*',
 ]
 
diff --git a/docs/index.rst b/docs/index.rst
index 87641ca9..8f1c3f28 100644
--- a/docs/index.rst
+++ b/docs/index.rst
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ whose verification libraries formed the basis of MET and
 whose mathematical brilliance, passion for maps, grid projections, and 
 graphics enriched and inspired new capabilities.
 
-To `Venita Hagerty <https://sites.gsl.noaa.gov/authors/365>`_, 
+To **Venita Hagerty**, 
 for her pivotal expertise, support, and attention to 
 detail that ensured the success of METdataio and METexpress.
 
diff --git a/docs/requirements.txt b/docs/requirements.txt
index 5f87dce1..742c23d2 100644
--- a/docs/requirements.txt
+++ b/docs/requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-sphinx-gallery==0.14.0
+sphinx-gallery==0.19.0
 sphinxcontrib-bibtex==2.6.1
-sphinx==5.3.0
-sphinx-design==0.3.0
-sphinx_rtd_theme==1.3.0
+sphinx==8.2.3
+sphinx-design==0.6.1
+sphinx-rtd-theme==3.0.1