Note 9 - 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. 28, 2021	Dec. 27, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ (1,134)	$ 15,902	$ (5,367)	$ 5,320	$ 14,768	$ (46)
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	5,877		5,814		5,861	5,793
Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(156)		(157)		(155)	(152)
Basic average common shares (in shares)	5,721		5,657		5,706	5,641
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	98		38		75	59
Diluted average common shares (in shares)	5,819		5,695		5,781	5,700
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.20)		$ (0.95)		$ 2.59	$ (0.01)
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.19)		$ (0.94)		$ 2.55	$ (0.01)