Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010	Sep. 27, 2009
Operating revenue:
Advertising	$ 536,778	$ 560,104	$ 614,674
Circulation	181,023	179,851	185,154
Other	38,303	40,693	42,202
Total operating revenue	756,104	780,648	842,030
Operating expenses:
Compensation	299,416	315,698	339,014
Newsprint and ink	59,075	54,436	72,311
Other operating expenses	230,641	238,191	257,060
Depreciation	26,861	27,971	32,807
Amortization of intangible assets	44,473	45,208	46,792
Impairment of goodwill and other assets	205,139	3,290	245,953
Workforce adjustments	4,232	1,420	6,650
Total operating expenses	869,837	686,214	1,000,587
Curtailment gains	16,137	45,012	0
Equity in earnings of associated companies	6,151	7,746	5,120
Reduction in investment in TNI	11,900	0	19,951
Operating income (loss)	(103,345)	147,192	(173,388)
Non-operating income (expense):
Financial income	296	411	1,886
Financial expense	(52,696)	(63,117)	(75,425)
Debt financing costs	(12,612)	(8,514)	(17,467)
Other, net	595	(1,172)	1,823
Total non-operating expense, net	(64,417)	(72,392)	(89,183)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(167,762)	74,800	(262,571)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(21,081)	28,622	(82,509)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(146,681)	46,178	(180,062)
Loss on disposition of discontinued operations, net of income tax effect	0	0	(5)
Net income (loss)	(146,681)	46,178	(180,067)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(187)	(73)	(179)
Decrease in redeemable non-controlling interest	0	0	(57,055)
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	(146,868)	46,105	(123,191)
Other comprehensive loss, net	(12,737)	(14,704)	(21,839)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(159,605)	31,401	(145,030)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ (146,868)	$ 46,105	$ (123,186)
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ (3.27)	$ 1.03	$ (2.77)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ (3.27)	$ 1.03	$ (2.77)
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ (3.27)	$ 1.03	$ (2.77)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ (3.27)	$ 1.03	$ (2.77)