Note 10 - Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ (5,367)	$ 5,320	$ (2,678)	$ 10,361	$ (46)	$ 7,683
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	58,136		57,703		57,931	57,501
Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(1,572)		(2,095)		(1,515)	(2,097)
Basic average common shares (in shares)	56,564		55,608		56,416	55,404
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	382				585	1,287
Diluted average common shares (in shares)	56,946		55,608		57,001	56,691
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)		$ (0.05)		$ 0	$ 0.14
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)		$ (0.05)		$ 0	$ 0.14