Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 11,892	$ 13,534
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	1,046
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 11,892	$ 14,580
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares	52,886,000	52,294,000
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock	805,000	500,000
Basic average common shares	52,081,000	51,794,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	1,178,000	60,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	53,259,000	51,854,000
Continuing operations	$ 0.23	$ 0.26
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.28
Continuing operations	$ 0.22	$ 0.26
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Diluted	$ 0.22	$ 0.28
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	101,000	3,036,000