Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 1,795	$ (1,061)	$ 11,619	$ (12,991)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(412)	(1,247)	(553)
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 1,795	$ (1,473)	$ 10,372	$ (13,544)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares	52,325,000	51,731,000	52,305,000	48,733,000
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock	500,000	0	500,000	0
Basic average common shares	51,825,000	51,731,000	51,805,000	48,733,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	213,000	0	107,000	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	52,038,000	51,731,000	51,912,000	48,733,000
Continuing operations	$ 0.03	$ (0.02)	$ 0.22	$ (0.27)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.03	$ (0.03)	$ 0.20	$ (0.28)
Continuing operations	$ 0.03	$ (0.02)	$ 0.22	$ (0.27)
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Diluted	$ 0.03	$ (0.03)	$ 0.20	$ (0.28)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,705,000	2,695,000	2,971,000	2,085,000