Alabama
Alabama boy’s secret Facebook post asking for cancer drug grabs national attention
RALPH, Ala. (WSFA) – An Alabama teenager took a chance on Wednesday, filming a two-minute video on his mom’s Facebook page without his parents knowing.
He didn’t expect what happened next.
Will Roberts, 15, lives in Ralph, an unincorporated community in Tuscaloosa County. He’s fighting for his life against stage 4 bone cancer, called osteosarcoma, which has spread throughout his body.
In Will’s video he asks for one specific thing: a drug that he does not have access to called DELTAREX-G.
His parents had been discussing the benefits that this drug could offer, and Will wants to take action. So, he filmed the video.
In less than 24 hours, the Roberts family has heard from Alabama and national lawmakers and even celebrity doctors like Dr. Oz.
WSFA 12 News’ Ian Alvano is speaking with Will and his family about the boy’s battle, and his decision to make the Facebook post. We’ll update this story with more details and video throughout the day.
In Will’s video he asks for it to be shared with President Donald Trump and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“We’ve tried basically everything there is, and we’re getting toward the end of the road, and I need help,” the boy urges.
While he remains in a battle for his life, Will is thinking about others. He states in the video that while he’s unsure about his future, he wants other kids who may battle this disease in the future to have the best chance possible.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – The Alabama Primaries are Tuesday, May 19. Here is everything you need to know before you head to the polls.
When Are Polls Open?
Polls are open 7AM-7PM statewide
Remember, this is a primary. You will have to request either a Democratic Party or a Republican Party ballot. So you’ll have to decide whether you want to vote in Democratic Primary races or Republican Primary races. You can’t vote in both.
If no candidate gets 50%+1 in a particular race, the top two finishers would face each other in a runoff on June 16. Voters must vote in the same party’s runoff as in the primary.
Which Races Are on My Ballot?
Here’s a list of sample ballots for Democratic and Republican Party Primaries in all 67 Alabama counties.
While you will find primaries for U.S. House seats in Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 — which cover nearly all of the Action 8 viewing area — these results won’t count. A special election for these districts will be held on August 11. This is due to the recent redistricting of those areas, which means some voters are now in different districts.
Am I Registered? Where Is My Polling Place?
Check here for voter information, including checking your registration and polling location.
What Type of Voter ID Do I Need?
Read the rules concerning Alabama’s photo voter ID law.
Stay with Action 8 News for the latest results, analysis from Political Analyst Steve Flowers and reaction. Watch Campaign 2026: The Alabama Vote, starting at 7 o’clock Tuesday night.
This week on “The Voice of Alabama Politics,” Alabama once again finds itself at the center of one of the nation’s biggest constitutional battles.
Bill Britt, Susan Britt and Josh Moon break down the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reopen Alabama’s redistricting fight, the growing uncertainty surrounding the state’s election maps and the larger national conflict over voting rights, race and political power.
The show also examines controversy surrounding Republican lieutenant governor candidate Wes Allen and President Donald Trump reopening his political split with former Congressman Mo Brooks.
What emerges is a portrait of Alabama once again serving as the testing ground for some of America’s biggest political and constitutional fights.
Avery Luedke will join the Alabama women for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Luedke just spent her freshman season with fellow-SEC program Tennessee.
“I’m so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama!
I’d like to give a huge thank you to the Tennessee coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to be a Lady Vol and to all of my friends and family for supporting me throughout this process. I’m so thankful for my time at Tennessee and I will always be proud to be a LVFL.
I’m grateful for the journey that led me here, and so excited for this next chapter! Roll Tide!!”
Luedke is originally from Illinois and arrived in Knoxville last fall. She swam a season best 4:49.31 in the 500 free during the team’s midseason invite. Her season best in the 1650 free of a 16:33.91 came at Winter Juniors in December. She did not swim at the 2026 SEC Championships and instead finished her season at Tennessee’s Last Chance meet.
Her lifetime bests still stand from high school as she swam a 4:48.42 500 free in November 2024 during her high school season and a 16:30.28 1650 free in March 2025 at NCSAs.
Luedke’s Best Times:
| High School | At Tennessee | |
| 500 free | 4:48.42 | 4:49.31 |
| 1650 free | 16:30.28 | 16:33.91 |
The Alabama women finished 4th out of 13 teams at the 2026 SEC Championships, two spots behind Tennessee’s 2nd place finish. Alabama was led by Emily Jones who tallied 80 individual points including a 2nd place finish in the 100 back with a 50.59.
Based on her best times from high school, Luedke would have been 17th in the 1650 free and 24th in the 500 free. Alabama scored 33 points in the 1650 free and 13 in the 500 free at 2026 SECs. Her 1650 free from Winter Juniors this past season would have been 19th.
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