cherry-pick #861 and cut v2.9.1 release#3887

Merged

M00nF1sh merged 6 commits intokubernetes-sigs:release-2.9from

M00nF1sh:release-2.9

Oct 11, 2024

Commits on Oct 1, 2024

Commits on Oct 3, 2024

improve logging
zac-nixon
committed

Commits on Oct 10, 2024

preempt pod readiness gate changes by clearing check point
zac-nixon
committed

Commits on Oct 11, 2024