Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2021	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 794,649	$ 618,004	$ 509,854
Operating expenses:
Compensation	330,896	243,023	182,869
Newsprint and ink	29,775	24,243	22,237
Other operating expenses	325,597	259,382	193,709
Depreciation and amortization	42,841	36,133	29,332
Assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other	8,214	(5,403)	2,464
Restructuring costs and other	7,182	13,751	11,635
Total operating expenses	744,505	571,129	442,246
Equity in earnings of associated companies	6,412	3,403	7,121
Operating income	56,556	50,278	74,729
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense	(44,773)	(47,743)	(47,488)
Debt financing and administrative costs	0	(11,966)	(7,214)
Curtailment gain	23,830	0	0
Pension withdrawal cost	(12,862)	0	0
Other, net	9,296	12,274	3,813
Total non-operating expense, net	(24,509)	(47,435)	(50,889)
Income before income taxes	32,047	2,843	23,840
Income tax expense	7,215	4,104	7,931
Net income (loss)	24,832	(1,261)	15,909
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(2,047)	(1,845)	(1,641)
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	22,785	(3,106)	14,268
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	62,237	9,064	(17,368)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 85,022	$ 5,958	$ (3,100)
Earnings per common share:
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ 3.99	$ (0.55)	$ 2.57
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ 3.91	$ (0.55)	$ 2.51
Advertising and Marketing Services [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 369,283	$ 289,655	$ 265,933
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	357,713	268,285	187,443
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 67,653	$ 60,064	$ 56,478