Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Operating revenue:
Advertising	$ 117,500	$ 124,053	$ 260,000	$ 275,821
Circulation	44,878	44,821	91,574	90,298
Other	9,880	9,852	20,245	20,274
Total operating revenue	172,258	178,726	371,819	386,393
Operating expenses:
Compensation	72,524	76,529	146,101	154,549
Newsprint and ink	13,077	14,849	27,937	30,523
Other operating expenses	54,011	57,476	111,253	117,144
Depreciation	6,126	7,293	12,362	13,816
Amortization of intangible assets	10,920	11,201	21,844	22,484
Workforce adjustments	542	443	880	635
Total operating expenses	157,200	167,791	320,377	339,151
Curtailment gains	0	1,991	0	12,163
Equity in earnings of associated companies	1,430	1,148	4,241	3,852
Operating income	16,488	14,074	55,683	63,257
Non-operating income (expense):
Financial income	54	18	109	77
Financial expense	(20,312)	(13,140)	(33,064)	(26,578)
Debt financing costs	(715)	(1,895)	(2,739)	(3,861)
Other, net	0	(231)	0	(684)
Total non-operating expense, net	(20,973)	(15,248)	(35,694)	(31,046)
Income (loss) before reorganization costs and income taxes	(4,485)	(1,174)	19,989	32,211
Reorganization costs	36,626	0	37,867	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(41,111)	(1,174)	(17,878)	32,211
Income tax expense (benefit)	(14,569)	275	(5,959)	14,682
Net income (loss)	(26,542)	(1,449)	(11,919)	17,529
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(83)	(23)	(153)	(58)
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	(26,625)	(1,472)	(12,072)	17,471
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	152	(3,274)	304	2,211
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (26,473)	$ (4,746)	$ (11,768)	$ 19,682
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ (0.54)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.39
Diluted	$ (0.54)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.39