Note 8 - 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. 27, 2022	Dec. 26, 2021	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 27, 2020	Mar. 27, 2022	Mar. 28, 2021
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ (7,276)	$ 12,658	$ (1,134)	$ 15,902	$ 5,382	$ 14,768
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	5,955		5,877		5,919	5,861
Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(178)		(156)		(167)	(155)
Basic average common shares (in shares)	5,777		5,721		5,752	5,706
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	0		0		107	75
Diluted average common shares (in shares)	5,777		5,721		5,859	5,781
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ (1.26)		$ (0.20)		$ 0.94	$ 2.59
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ (1.26)		$ (0.20)		$ 0.92	$ 2.55