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. 26, 2023	Dec. 25, 2022	Mar. 27, 2022	Dec. 26, 2021	Mar. 26, 2023	Mar. 27, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
(Loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ (5,885)	$ 1,099	$ (7,276)	$ 12,658	$ (4,786)	$ 5,382
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	5,996		5,955		6,018	5,919
Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(173)		(178)		(172)	(167)
Basic average common shares (in shares)	5,823		5,777		5,846	5,752
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	0		0		0	107
Diluted average common shares (in shares)	5,823		5,777		5,846	5,859
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.01)		$ (1.26)		$ (0.82)	$ 0.94
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.01)		$ (1.26)		$ (0.82)	$ 0.92