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						9 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2023	Mar. 26, 2023	Dec. 25, 2022	Jun. 26, 2022	Mar. 27, 2022	Dec. 26, 2021	Jun. 25, 2023	Jun. 26, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ 1,503	$ (5,885)	$ 1,099	$ (269)	$ (7,276)	$ 12,658	$ (3,283)	$ 5,113
Weighted average common shares (in shares)	6,051			5,965			6,045	5,935
Less weighted average restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(173)			(170)			(172)	(168)
Basic average common shares (in shares)	5,878			5,795			5,873	5,767
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	30			0			0	93
Diluted average common shares (in shares)	5,908			5,795			5,873	5,860
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26			$ (0.05)			$ (0.56)	$ 0.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25			$ (0.05)			$ (0.56)	$ 0.87