amacman, thank you so much for your help. You were right. I lifted harder and the panel came off. I think mine was on extra tight or something (maybe due to me pulling out too hard initially), but the black clip that attaches to the panel actually stayed on the metal piece that I highlighted in red. That was what was making removal of the panel so tough. Here is a photo. Maybe it is actually supposed to stay on there, but either way, mine was a bear to pull off. I thought for sure I was going to break something.

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Profeshenal spellar