Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,516,000	$ 5,380,000
Accounts receivable and contract assets, net	47,772,000	43,711,000
Inventories	3,258,000	5,684,000
Other	6,706,000	4,567,000
Total current assets	71,252,000	59,342,000
Investments:
Associated companies	28,926,000	29,216,000
Other	10,905,000	10,958,000
Total investments	39,831,000	40,174,000
Property and equipment:
Land and improvements	16,947,000	17,432,000
Buildings and improvements	149,494,000	150,376,000
Equipment	271,121,000	276,332,000
Construction in process	2,771,000	1,710,000
	440,333,000	445,850,000
Less accumulated depreciation	354,784,000	353,522,000
Property and equipment, net	85,549,000	92,328,000
Goodwill	249,727,000	246,176,000
Other intangible assets, net	110,806,000	119,819,000
Medical plan assets, net	15,766,000	16,157,000
Other	1,470,000	1,415,000
Total assets	574,401,000	575,411,000
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	3,931,000	7,027,000
Accounts payable	13,747,000	12,747,000
Compensation and other accrued liabilities	17,492,000	19,641,000
Accrued interest	11,010,000	2,031,000
Unearned revenue	22,970,000	23,895,000
Total current liabilities	69,150,000	65,341,000
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	442,026,000	460,777,000
Pension obligations	24,951,000	26,745,000
Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations	2,526,000	2,580,000
Deferred income taxes	39,238,000	39,108,000
Income taxes payable	7,430,000	6,559,000
Warrants and other	10,620,000	10,561,000
Total liabilities	595,941,000	611,671,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued
Additional paid-in capital	254,727,000	253,511,000
Accumulated deficit	(266,242,000)	(279,691,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(12,112,000)	(11,746,000)
Total stockholders' deficit	(23,049,000)	(37,354,000)
Non-controlling interests	1,509,000	1,094,000
Total deficit	(21,540,000)	(36,260,000)
Total liabilities and deficit	574,401,000	575,411,000
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock	578,000	572,000
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock

The amount of accounts receivable and contract assets, net of any adjustment.

No definition available.

Name:	lee_AccountsReceivableAndContractAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	lee_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).