Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 29, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited, interim, Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for quarterly reports. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 29, 2019 and our results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10 -K. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended December 29, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. References to “we”, “our”, “us” and the like throughout the Consolidated Financial Statements refer to the Company. References to “2020”, “2019” and the like refer to the fiscal years ended the last Sunday in September. The Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned, except for our 82.5% interest in INN Partners, L.C. ("TownNews.com"), 50% interest in TNI Partners (“TNI”) and 50% interest in Madison Newspapers, Inc. (“MNI”). Investments in TNI and MNI are accounted for using the equity method and are reported at cost, plus our share of undistributed earnings since acquisition less, for TNI, amortization of intangible assets.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Standards Adopted in 2020 In February 2016, the FASB issued a new standard for the accounting treatment of leases, known as Accounting Standards 842 ("AS 842" ). The new standard is based on the principle that entities should recognize assets and liabilities arising from leases. The new standard's primary change is the requirement for entities to recognize a lease liability for payments and a right of use asset representing the right to use the leased asset during the term on most operating lease arrangements. We adopted the standard effective September 30, 2019, the first day of fiscal year 2020. We elected the package of practical expedients which permits the Company to not reassess under the new standard the prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, or initial direct costs. In addition, we did reassess whether existing land easements which were previously not accounted for as leases are or contain leases under the new guidance. We have elected to combine non-lease and lease components when accounting for leases. The Company has made a policy election to exclude short-term leases, those with an original term of less than twelve months, from recognition and measurement under AS 842. As such, we have not recognized a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset or lease liability for these leases. Additional information and disclosures required by this new standard are contained in Note 6. Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Standards Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued a new standard to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology under then current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a wider array of reasonable and supportable information to inform and develop credit loss estimates. We will be required to use a forward-looking expected credit loss model for both accounts receivables and other financial instruments. The new standard will be adopted beginning September 30, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align our credit loss methodology with the new standard. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.