Episode 20. Francene – Former Talk Show Host, 840 WHAS (2003-2010)

Francene Cucinello, often called “Francene,” was a well-known radio talk show host in Louisville, Kentucky.

Francene Cucinello loved to get people talking and challenged them to think!

Born on June 30, 1966, she originally came from New Jersey. Before her radio career, Francene worked as a television reporter, which gave her a strong foundation in journalism and public speaking.

She hosted the popular “Francene Show” on Louisville’s 84 WHAS radio station and was among ONLY 25 women in the USA with a lead talk show program.

Francene got her start after calling in to answer a trivia question in college at West Virginia University; she was offered a job on the spot. Along with her radio success, Francene previously worked as a reporter at WBAL-TV in Baltimore and WSMV-TV in Nashville, Tennessee.

In addition, she is an experienced voice-over artist. She has recorded audiobooks for the Library of Congress and won an award for her work on a series for the Discovery Channel.

In 2002, Francene won an international journalism fellowship and studied in Berlin.

Francene became a prominent voice in Louisville through her work at WHAS Radio, where she hosted “The Francene Show.”

Her program, which aired on weekday mornings, covered many topics, including local and national news, politics, and community issues.

Known for her engaging and sometimes provocative style, Francene was able to connect deeply with her audience, making her a beloved figure in Louisville’s media landscape.

Sadly, Francene’s career was cut short when she passed away on January 15, 2010, at the age of 43.

Her death was a significant loss to the community, and she is remembered for her contributions to Louisville’s public discourse and her vibrant personality on air.

In memoriam: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/louisville/obituary.aspx?n=Francene-Cucinello&pid=138627930