Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income Attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ 14,566	$ 14,554
Discontinued operations	$ 0.02	$ 0.00
Discontinued operations	$ 0.02	$ 0.00
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares	52,294,000	44,958,000
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock	500,000	0
Basic average common shares	51,794,000	44,958,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	60,000	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	51,854,000	44,958,000
Basic	$ 0.28	$ 0.32
Diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.32
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,036,000	1,798,000