Yes, the blog has a new name.

What should you expect here?

A quick, irreverent and interesting sampler of what's happening in the Valley, the state, the country and the world. Plus I'll post a sports story on every blog -- sorry, old habits die hard -- and the Laugh of the Day and Quote of the Day.

The Big Valley also is your place to talk about topics that are important to you -- and have the discussion read by a big audience instead of fading into Internet ether. Remember to include photos that will illustrate your point by e-mailing them to bmcewen@fresnobee.com.

Jim Boren and I questioned Fresno mayoral finalists Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin in a 70-minute debate on fresnobee.com today. Access it here.

I'll have a recap on tomorrow's edition of The Big Valley.

Sen. John McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate is the hottest story in the country. She introduces herself to the country tonight in her speech at the GOP Convention.

Meanwhile, a little-known, short book about Palin is suddenly a hot-seller. Read the story here.

An Alaska newspaper columnist turned state House of Representative member says Palin is nice, but not ready to be on the country's top ticket. His opinions might be colored by the fact he's a Democrat not named Joe Lieberman. Read his take here.

And my friends at Slate say that McCain's selection created a disaster story for the news-starved press. Click here for Jack Shafer's analysis.

Every year the NBA holds a transition camp for rookies. The idea is to teach young basketball players the do's and don't's of life in the league. March Madness heroes Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur flunked out before they started, according to sources who say the former Kansas U. stars were caught with reefer and women in their hotel room. Read the ESPN story here.

Laugh of the Day: "Not only is {Gov. Sarah Palin] young, they're saying she's the prettiest candidate for Vice President since John Edwards." --Jimmy Kimmel

Quote of the Day: "Never mind the naysayers and inside-the-Beltway snobs who mock John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. This was a brilliant choice. . . . [I]t offered an alternative to Americans who are ready to shake up Washington but who don't think that Obama is the one to do the shaking. . . . Besides, those who know Palin best -- her Alaska constituents -- tell reporters they like her, trust her and find her easy to relate to, which happen to be the same personal qualities that many Americans say they find lacking in the Democratic nominee. And anyone who thinks those qualities aren't important in a presidential candidate probably doesn't understand why Bill Clinton beat Bob Dole in 1996 and George W. Bush beat John Kerry in 2004" -- San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Ruben Navarrette.