Note 3 - Investments in Associated Companies - Summarized Financial Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 121,367	$ 122,704	$ 243,710	$ 258,905
Operating expenses	108,942	111,854	214,548	222,465
Operating income	13,787	12,567	32,093	40,286
Equity in earnings	1,362	1,717	2,931	3,846
Restructuring costs	1,925	2,759	3,557	2,820
Depreciation and amortization	7,276	7,386	13,995	14,916
Net income	(4,990)	(2,327)	728	8,392
TNI Partners [Member]
Operating income	1,210	1,323	2,225	2,858
Less amortization of intangible assets	105	105	210	209
Equity in earnings	1,105	1,218	2,015	2,649
TNI Partners [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	10,185	11,480	20,381	23,644
Operating expenses	7,766	8,832	15,931	17,928
Operating income	2,419	2,648	4,450	5,716
Madison Newspapers, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	12,325	13,092	26,250	27,918
Operating expenses	11,561	11,579	23,681	24,272
Operating income	567	1,195	2,228	3,019
Equity in earnings	257	499	915	1,197
Restructuring costs		38		68
Depreciation and amortization	197	280	341	559
Net income	$ 514	$ 996	$ 1,830	$ 2,394