A few current California news items making the rounds this week:

President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana died today. He was 68. He reportedly suffered from throat cancer and was rumored to have visited the United States recently for medical care. The president assumed office in 2009 and planned on running for reelection this year.

The presidential office released the following statement today:

Astrological Sign: Pisces

Term of Presidency: 1829-1837

Party: Democratic

Age Upon Taking Office: 61

Vice President: John C. Calhoun (first term); Martin Van Buren (second term)

The Congressional Budget Office just released two reports, one on the estimated cost of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as "Obamacare", and one on the estimated cost of repealing the ACA.

This election cycle marks the 100 year anniversary of the historic election of 1912 presidential election. But wait a second, why does this election stand out so much? Well it wasn't your typical two-way race between the Democrats and Republicans. This time around it was a three-way race between the incumbent and Republican William H. Taft, the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson, and Teddy Roosevelt of the Bull Moose party.

In the growing age of technology, voters are increasingly turning to the Internet to research, connect, and share political news as the 2012 election progresses.

Easing economic sanctions on foreign countries like Cuba and North Korea could be a potential solution to the struggling US economy while fostering international cooperation and good will abroad.

A group of teenagers in Lowell, Massachusetts says yes. As their schools lose funding and programs face budget cuts, this group of teens is pushing for a bill to be passed to allow young voters to get a head start in the political process by voting in municipal elections starting at the age of 17.

Maybe they're onto something, argues Peter Levine, the director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.