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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K



                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                          Date of Report: July 21, 2003


                          Commission File Number 1-6227



                          LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                Delaware                             42-0823980
        (State of Incorporation)         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                    215 N. Main Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)


                                 (563) 383-2100
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code





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Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure See Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On July 21, 2003, Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (the Registrant) reported its third fiscal quarter results and is furnishing the earnings release required under Item 12. The Company also reported its revenues for the month of June 2003, and is furnishing the related release under Item 12. The following exhibits are included herein: EXHIBIT 99.1 Earnings Release - Third Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 EXHIBIT 99.2 Monthly Revenue Release - June 2003 The earnings release contains several non-GAAP financial measures. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is defined as a numerical measure of a company's financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income, balance sheet or statement of cash flows of the Company. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, the Company has provided a reconciliation within the earnings release of all non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED Date: July 21, 2003 /s/ Carl G. Schmidt ------------------------------------ Carl G. Schmidt Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

EXHIBIT 99.1 Earnings Release - Third Quarter Ended June 30, 2003 LEE ENTERPRISES 215 Main St. Davenport, IA 52801-1924 www.lee.net NEWS RELEASE Lee Enterprises reports Q3 earnings DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 21, 2003) - Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE), reported today that diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations were 48 cents for its third quarter ended June 30, 2003. Last year's earnings of 68 cents per diluted common share from continuing operations included the favorable resolution of tax issues amounting to $10.0 million, or 22 cents. On an adjusted basis, this year's earnings represent an increase of 4.4 percent over 46 cents a year ago. Earnings in 2002 have been restated to include employee stock option expense. Operating cash flow(2) increased 3.9 percent to $47.6 million, at a margin of 28.3 percent, compared with 28.7 percent a year ago. Revenue increased 5.5 percent to $168.2 million. Operating income, which includes equity in net income of associated companies, depreciation and amortization, increased 4.4 percent. Income from continuing operations declined 28.9 percent in comparison with a year ago, which included gains of $10.0 million resulting from favorable resolution of tax issues, as noted above. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased 6.1 percent to $120.7 million. Current year expenses were increased by the inclusion of $3.4 million of operating costs of Sioux City Newspapers (SCN). Adjusting for this factor, operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased 3.1 percent. Expenses in the current year were further influenced by a 14.1% increase in newsprint costs (including SCN). Lee's purchase of Howard Publications in April 2002 included 15 daily newspapers and a 50 percent interest in SCN. Lee acquired the remaining 50 percent interest in SCN in July 2002. On a same property basis, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures made in the current or prior year, total revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, increased 1.0 percent from a year ago. Total advertising revenue decreased 0.5 percent. Retail increased 1.1 percent. Classified revenue decreased 2.9 percent, with employment advertising in the daily newspapers down 10.7 percent. National advertising, a small category for Lee, decreased 1.3 percent. Circulation revenue decreased 0.8 percent. Online revenue increased 28.8 percent. At the 15 newspapers Lee acquired in their entirety in April 2002, revenue for the quarter increased 4.4 percent(3). Publishing revenue of the former Howard newspapers increased 14.9 percent on a reported basis, due to the inclusion of SCN in revenue in the current year. Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "We continue to benefit from our acquisitions in 2002, and we remain fully focused on our five top priorities of driving revenue, improving readership and circulation, emphasizing strong local news, expanding our online services and carefully controlling our costs. As our performance shows, especially in comparison with a very strong quarter a year ago, we're doing the right things and doing them well in a tough economic environment."

YEAR TO DATE For the nine months ended June 30, 2003, total revenue on a same property basis increased 2.1 percent. On a reported basis, revenue increased 36.0 percent. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased 37.2 percent, and operating cash flow increased 32.8 percent. Operating cash flow margin(2) was 27.2 percent, compared with 27.8 percent a year ago. Operating income increased 24.7 percent. Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations totaled $1.32, compared with $1.36 a year ago, which included the 22 cents of tax benefits noted above. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS In 2003, Lee has begun expensing employee stock option grants and has chosen to restate prior years. This will reduce 2003 results 5 to 6 cents per diluted common share for the full year and had an impact of one cent per share in the June quarter. Year to date results in the prior year were reduced four cents per diluted common share from the previously reported amount of $1.43 cents. Tables follow. Lee Enterprises is based in Davenport, Iowa, and is the premier publisher of daily newspapers in midsize markets. Lee owns 38 daily newspapers and a joint interest in six others, along with associated online services. Lee also publishes more than 175 weekly newspapers, shoppers and classified and specialty publications. Lee stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. More information about Lee Enterprises is available at www.lee.net. 2

LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Unaudited. (Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 30, June 30, - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 % 2003 2002 % - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue: (4) (4) Advertising........................ $115,099 $110,208 4.4 $336,983 $243,217 38.6 Circulation........................ 33,052 31,567 4.7 99,777 72,019 38.5 Other.............................. 20,098 17,771 13.1 57,369 48,178 19.1 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 168,249 159,546 5.5 494,129 363,414 36.0 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses: Compensation....................... 67,884 63,280 7.3 203,790 144,362 41.2 Newsprint and ink.................. 15,124 13,258 14.1 42,890 31,188 37.5 Other.............................. 37,680 37,216 1.2 113,286 86,822 30.5 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization...... 120,688 113,754 6.1 359,966 262,372 37.2 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating cash flow.................. 47,561 45,792 3.9 134,163 101,042 32.8 Depreciation and amortization........ 11,447 12,197 (6.1) 34,531 23,373 47.7 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income, before equity in net income of associated companies.......................... 36,114 33,595 7.5 99,632 77,669 28.3 Equity in net income of associated companies.......................... 1,962 2,867 (31.6) 5,733 6,796 (15.6) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income..................... 38,076 36,462 4.4 105,365 84,465 24.7 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-operating income (expense), net: Financial income .................. 373 470 (20.6) 916 5,705 (83.9) Financial expense.................. (4,072) (5,117) (20.4) (13,032) (10,999) 18.5 Other, net......................... (408) 9 NM (795) (299) NM - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4,107) (4,638) (11.4) (12,911) (5,593) 130.8 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from continuing operations before income taxes ............... 33,969 31,824 6.7 92,454 78,872 17.2 Income tax expense................... 12,511 1,637 NM 33,894 18,404 84.2 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from continuing operations.... 21,458 30,187 (28.9) 58,560 60,468 (3.2) Discontinued operations.............. -- 1,333 -- (20) 1,193 NM - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income........................... $ 21,458 $ 31,520 (31.9) $ 58,540 $ 61,661 (5.1) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings per common share: Basic: Continuing operations.............. $0.48 $0.68 (29.4) $1.32 $1.37 (3.6) Discontinued operations............ -- 0.03 -- 0.03 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income......................... $0.48 $0.71 (32.4) $1.32 $1.40 (5.7) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted: Continuing operations.............. $0.48 $0.68 (29.4) $1.32 $1.36 (2.9) Discontinued operations............ -- 0.03 -- 0.03 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income......................... $0.48 $0.71 (32.4) $1.32 $1.39 (5.0) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average outstanding shares: Basic.............................. 44,351 44,144 44,277 44,054 Diluted............................ 44,574 44,474 44,444 44,349 3

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION June 30, - -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and temporary cash investments...... $ 20,960 $ 72,710 Total assets............................. 1,436,029 1,400,576 Debt, including current maturities....... 331,200 425,799 Stockholders' equity..................... 787,798 730,494 (1) Beginning in March 2003, same property revenue excludes revenue of Madison Newspapers, Inc., (MNI) in order to comply with newly issued SEC regulations related to disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures. Lee owns 50% of the capital stock of MNI, which for financial reporting purposes is reported using the equity method of accounting. (2) Operating cash flow, which is defined as operating income before depreciation, amortization and equity in net income of associated companies, and operating cash flow margin (operating cash flow divided by operating revenue) represent non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of operating cash flow to operating income, the most directly comparable measure under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), is included in the tables accompanying this release. The Company believes that operating cash flow and the related margin ratio are useful measures of evaluating its financial performance because of their focus on the Company's results from operations before depreciation and amortization. The Company also believes that these measures are several of the alternative financial measures of performance used by investors, rating agencies and financial analysts to estimate the value of a company and evaluate its ability to meet debt service requirements. (3) Same property revenue related to newspapers acquired from Howard Publications excludes revenue of Sioux City Newspapers (SCN). Lee owned 50% of the capital stock of SCN during the period from April through June 2002, which was accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Year to date same property revenue information is not meaningful due to the consummation of the acquisition at a date during the fiscal year. The following table reconciles Howard acquisition revenue on a same property basis to revenue as reported. Three months ended June 30, ----------------------------- (Thousands) 2003 2002 % Howard acquisition revenue.................. $56,576 $54,193 4.4% SCN......................................... 5,718 -- NM -------- ------- Total publishing revenue.................... $62,294 $54,193 14.9% ======== ======= (4) Certain amounts as previously reported have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. The presentation of equity in net income of associated companies has been revised to exclude those amounts from revenue. Fiscal 2002 amounts have been restated to include expense relating to employee stock options. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "Safe Harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release contains information that may be deemed forward-looking and that is based largely on the Company's current expectations and is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among such risks, trends and other uncertainties are changes in advertising demand, newsprint prices, interest rates, labor costs, legislative and regulatory rulings and other results of operations or financial conditions, difficulties in integration of acquired businesses or maintaining employee and customer relationships and increased capital and other costs. The words "may," "will," "would," "could," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "projects," "considers" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not publicly undertake to update or revise its forward-looking statements. Contact: dan.hayes@lee.net, (563) 383-2163 4

EXHIBIT 99.2 Monthly Revenue Release - June 2003 LEE ENTERPRISES 215 Main St. Davenport, IA 52801-1924 www.lee.net NEWS RELEASE Lee Enterprises reports June revenue statistics DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 21, 2003) - Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE), reported today that June publishing revenue increased 4.7 percent. Same property publishing revenue(2), which excludes the effects of acquisitions and divestitures, increased 0.7 percent in June and 2.1 percent year to date compared with 2002. Total advertising revenue on a same property basis was up 0.1 percent for the month and up 1.4 percent year to date. Retail advertising revenue was up 1.6 percent for the month and up 2.4 percent year to date. Classified advertising revenue was down 2.1 percent for the month and up 0.2 percent year to date. For the month, employment classified advertising was down 6.1 percent, automotive down 2.6 percent, real estate up 8.5 percent, other newspaper classified categories down 5.6 percent, and classified in alternative publications down 2.8 percent. National advertising revenue, a small category for Lee, was down 1.9 percent for the month and down 3.3 percent year to date. Circulation revenue was down 1.1 percent for the month and down 0.4 percent year to date. Online revenue was up 29.4 percent for the month and up 34.1 percent year to date. At the 15 newspapers Lee acquired in their entirety in April 2002, revenue in June increased 2.9 percent(3). Publishing revenue of the former Howard newspapers increased 13.0 percent on a reported basis, due to the inclusion of Sioux City Newspapers (SCN) in revenue in the current year. Lee's purchase of Howard Publications in April 2002 included 15 daily newspapers and a 50 percent interest in SCN. Lee acquired the remaining 50 percent interest of SCN in July 2002. Lee Enterprises is based in Davenport, Iowa, and is the premier publisher of daily newspapers in midsize markets. Lee owns 38 daily newspapers and a joint interest in six others, along with associated online services. Lee also publishes more than 175 weekly newspapers, shoppers and classified and specialty publications. Lee stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. More information about Lee Enterprises is available at www.lee.net. The monthly and year-to-date statistical information follows. 5

LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED Revenue and Statistical Summary June 2003 (Unaudited) PUBLISHING REVENUE June Year To Date (Thousands) --------------------------- --------------------------- 2003 2002 % 2003 2002 % --------- --------- ------- --------- --------- ------- (1)(2) (1)(2) (2) (2) Advertising: Retail.................. $ 13,448 $ 13,237 1.6 % $124,437 $121,531 2.4 % National................ 766 781 (1.9) 7,298 7,548 (3.3) Classified: Daily newspapers: Employment.......... 1,973 2,101 (6.1) 15,354 16,270 (5.6) Automotive.......... 1,817 1,865 (2.6) 15,801 15,640 1.0 Real estate......... 1,655 1,526 8.5 12,760 11,774 8.4 All other........... 1,462 1,549 (5.6) 10,932 11,127 (1.8) Alternative publications........ 1,527 1,571 (2.8) 14,940 14,853 0.6 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total classified...... 8,434 8,612 (2.1) 69,787 69,664 0.2 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total advertising..... 22,648 22,630 0.1 201,522 198,743 1.4 Circulation............... 6,843 6,917 (1.1) 60,437 60,650 (0.4) Online.................... 815 630 29.4 6,586 4,913 34.1 Other..................... 4,500 4,394 2.4 43,605 41,317 5.5 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total, Same property.. 34,806 34,571 0.7 312,150 305,623 2.1 Acquired/divested properties: Acquisitions............ 20,975 18,568 13.0 181,979 54,193 NM Divestitures............ -- 137 NM -- 3,598 NM --------- --------- --------- --------- Total acquired/divested properties............... 20,975 18,705 12.1 181,979 57,791 NM --------- --------- --------- --------- Total publishing revenue............... $ 55,781 $ 53,276 4.7 % $494,129 $363,414 36.0 % ========= ========= ========= ========= DAILY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING VOLUME June Year To Date ------------------------- ------------------------- (Thousands of Inches) 2003 2002 % 2003 2002 % ------- ------- ------ ------- ------- ------ (1)(2) (1)(2) (2) (2) Retail.................... 484 504 (4.0)% 4,538 4,568 (0.7)% National.................. 24 28 (14.3) 223 262 (14.9) Classified................ 516 522 (1.1) 4,234 4,197 0.9 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total, Same property.. 1,024 1,054 (2.8)% 8,995 9,027 (0.4)% ======= ======= ======= ======= Notes to Revenue and Statistical Summary: (1) The month had one more Monday and one fewer Saturday than the prior period. (2) Beginning in March 2003, same property revenue excludes revenue of Madison Newspapers, Inc. (MNI), in order to comply with newly issued SEC regulations related to disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures. Lee owns 50% of the capital stock of MNI, which for financial reporting purposes is reported using the equity method of accounting. 6

(3) Same property revenue related to newspapers acquired from Howard Publications excludes revenue of Sioux City Newspapers (SCN). Lee owned 50% of the capital stock of SCN during the period from April through June 2002, which was accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Year to date same property revenue information is not meaningful due to the consummation of the acquisition at a date during the fiscal year. The following table reconciles Howard acquisition revenue on a same property basis to revenue as reported. June ----------------------------- (Thousands) 2003 2002 % Howard acquisition revenue.................. $19,101 $18,568 2.9% SCN......................................... 1,874 -- NM -------- ------- Total publishing revenue.................... $20,975 $18,568 13.0% ======== ======= (4) The Company's fiscal year ends on September 30. (5) The Company disclaims responsibility for updating information beyond release date. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "Safe Harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release contains information that may be deemed forward-looking and that is based largely on the Company's current expectations and is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among such risks, trends and other uncertainties are changes in advertising demand, newsprint prices, interest rates, labor costs, legislative and regulatory rulings and other results of operations or financial conditions, difficulties in integration of acquired businesses or maintaining employee and customer relationships and increased capital and other costs. The words "may," "will," "would," "could," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "projects," "considers" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not publicly undertake to update or revise its forward-looking statements. Contact: dan.hayes@lee.net, (563) 383-2100 7