Progress bar on my level meter was stuck in place for days....now after the last patch, it's moving again. It's moving slowly, but definitely moving.

Did I miss an announcement?

No, the cap is not raised and it must be your imagination. The level cap is 81, which is reached when all your skills are at 100. Your progress bar goes up when your skills level, and since all your skills are maxed, they can't level now can they?