Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2021	Dec. 27, 2020
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 202,282,000	$ 211,817,000
Operating expenses:
Compensation	84,694,000	84,163,000
Newsprint and ink	7,644,000	7,992,000
Other operating expenses	85,982,000	81,767,000
Depreciation and amortization	9,676,000	10,441,000
Assets (gain) loss on sales, impairments and other, net	(12,274,000)	5,222,000
Restructuring costs and other	3,200,000	3,167,000
Total operating expenses	178,922,000	192,752,000
Equity in earnings of associated companies	1,754,000	1,743,000
Operating income	25,114,000	20,808,000
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense	(10,663,000)	(11,882,000)
Curtailment gain	1,027,000	23,830,000
Pension withdrawal cost	0	(12,310,000)
Other, net	3,072,000	2,268,000
Total non-operating (expense) income, net	(6,564,000)	1,906,000
Income before income taxes	18,550,000	22,714,000
Income tax expense	5,351,000	6,311,000
Net income	13,199,000	16,403,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(541,000)	(501,000)
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	12,658,000	15,902,000
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes	(6,112,000)	1,142,000
Comprehensive income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 6,546,000	$ 17,044,000
Earnings per common share:
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ 2.21	$ 2.79
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ 2.17	$ 2.77
Advertising and Marketing Services [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 98,754,000	$ 102,629,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	87,519,000	91,309,000
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 16,009,000	$ 17,879,000