Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2023	Sep. 25, 2022	Sep. 26, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
(Loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ (5,267)	$ (2,017)	$ 22,745
Weighted average Common Stock (in shares)	6,037	5,946	5,873
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(170)	(167)	(156)
Basic average Common Stock (in shares)	5,867	5,779	5,717
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	0	0	109
Diluted average Common Stock (in shares)	5,867	5,779	5,826
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.90)	$ (0.35)	$ 3.98
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.90)	$ (0.35)	$ 3.90