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Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Lee Enterprises, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000058361
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-25
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 25, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		55,562,832
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 93,233,000

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,984	$ 11,134
Accounts receivable, net	51,334	58,899
Income taxes receivable	0	413
Inventory, Net	4,252	3,914
Other	4,683	8,304
Total current assets	77,253	82,664
Investments:
Associated companies	29,716	35,069
Other	9,488	9,083
Total investments	39,204	44,152
Property and equipment:
Land and improvements	21,028	22,257
Buildings and improvements	174,164	179,731
Equipment	279,770	290,127
Construction in process	823	997
Property, plant and equipment, gross	475,785	493,112
Less accumulated depreciation	347,223	349,343
Property and equipment, net	128,562	143,769
Goodwill	243,729	243,729
Other intangible assets, net	158,354	185,962
Postretirement assets, net	14,063	13,421
Other	27,961	34,128
Total assets	689,126	747,825
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	25,070	25,000
Accounts payable	18,143	20,113
Compensation and other accrued liabilities	23,884	27,055
Accrued Interest	2,895	4,184
Income taxes payable	665	0
Unearned revenue	28,361	28,929
Total current liabilities	99,018	105,281
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	592,097	700,872
Pension obligations	55,148	52,522
Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations	10,717	11,060
Deferred income taxes	38,308	22,137
Income taxes payable	5,016	4,856
Other	16,363	9,680
Total liabilities	816,667	906,408
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued	0	0
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Additional paid-in capital	249,740	247,302
Accumulated deficit	(356,005)	(390,966)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(22,778)	(16,276)
Total stockholders' deficit	(128,485)	(159,393)
Non-controlling interests	944	810
Total deficit	(127,541)	(158,583)
Total liabilities and deficit	689,126	747,825
Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock	558	547
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parentheticals (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 4,327	$ 4,194
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000	500,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	55,771,000	54,679,000
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 2.00	$ 2.00
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	0	0

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Operating revenue:
Advertising	$ 373,463,000	$ 412,099,000	$ 443,247,000
Subscription	194,002,000	194,474,000	176,826,000
Other	46,899,000	41,970,000	40,804,000
Total operating revenue	614,364,000	648,543,000	660,877,000
Operating expenses:
Compensation	229,752,000	239,028,000	243,054,000
Newsprint and ink	26,110,000	30,263,000	37,994,000
Other operating expenses	218,726,000	229,165,000	223,509,000
Depreciation	17,291,000	18,418,000	20,920,000
Amortization of intangible assets	26,150,000	27,145,000	27,591,000
Impairment of intangible and other assets	2,185,000	0	2,980,000
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(3,139,000)	106,000	(1,338,000)
Workforce adjustments	1,825,000	3,304,000	1,265,000
Total operating expenses	518,900,000	547,429,000	555,975,000
Equity in earnings of associated companies	8,533,000	8,254,000	8,297,000
Operating income (loss)	103,997,000	109,368,000	113,199,000
Non-operating income (expense):
Financial income	400,000	337,000	385,000
Interest expense	(64,233,000)	(72,409,000)	(79,724,000)
Debt financing and administrative costs	(5,947,000)	(5,433,000)	(22,927,000)
Insurance Settlement	30,646,000	0	0
Other, net	(6,668,000)	6,049,000	3,028,000
Total non-operating expense, net	(45,802,000)	(71,456,000)	(99,238,000)
Income (loss) before income taxes	58,195,000	37,912,000	13,961,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	22,176,000	13,594,000	6,290,000
Net income (loss)	36,019,000	24,318,000	7,671,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(1,058,000)	(1,002,000)	(876,000)
Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	34,961,000	23,316,000	6,795,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(6,503,000)	(6,445,000)	(17,497,000)
Comprehensive loss	$ 28,458,000	$ 16,871,000	$ (10,702,000)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.66	$ 0.44	$ 0.13
Diluted	$ 0.64	$ 0.43	$ 0.13

Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Cash provided by (required for) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 36,019,000	$ 24,318,000	$ 7,671,000
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	43,441,000	45,563,000	48,511,000
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(3,139,000)	106,000	(1,338,000)
Insurance Settlement	(30,646,000)	0	0
Impairment of intangible and other assets	2,185,000	0	2,980,000
Distributions greater than earnings of MNI	3,777,000	2,084,000	1,366,000
Stock compensation expense	2,306,000	1,971,000	1,481,000
Amortization of debt present value adjustment	0	0	2,394,000
Deferred income taxes	20,669,000	12,764,000	6,425,000
Debt financing and administrative costs	5,947,000	5,433,000	22,927,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	(1,250,000)	0	0
Pension Contributions	4,604,000	3,577,000	1,435,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in receivables	6,933,000	3,444,000	872,000
Decrease in inventories and other	617,000	3,122,000	217,000
Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and unearned revenue	(8,327,000)	(9,587,000)	(5,315,000)
Decrease in pension, postretirement and post employment benefits	(4,757,000)	(3,627,000)	(4,643,000)
Change in income taxes receivable or payable	1,238,000	(34,000)	5,854,000
Other, net	8,781,000	(7,504,000)	(5,892,000)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	79,190,000	74,476,000	82,075,000
Cash provided by (required for) investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(7,091,000)	(9,707,000)	(13,661,000)
Decrease in restricted cash	0	441,000	(441,000)
Insurance Settlement	30,646,000	0	0
Proceeds from sales of assets	9,878,000	8,871,000	4,485,000
Distributions greater than current earnings of TNI	1,575,000	637,000	333,000
Other, net	(500,000)	(450,000)	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	34,508,000	(208,000)	(9,284,000)
Cash provided by (required for) financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	5,000,000	5,000,000	805,000,000
Payments on long-term debt	(112,455,000)	(83,878,000)	(847,750,000)
Debt financing and reorganization costs paid	(422,000)	(733,000)	(31,587,000)
Common stock transactions net	29,000	(227,000)	688,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(107,848,000)	(79,838,000)	(73,649,000)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,850,000	(5,570,000)	(858,000)
Cash and cash equivalents:
End of period	$ 16,984,000	$ 11,134,000	$ 16,704,000

Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding		52,434
Beginning balance at Sep. 29, 2013			$ 524	$ 242,537	$ (421,077)	$ 7,666
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax						(29,591)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax						12,094
Net Income (Loss)	$ 7,671				7,671
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	876				(876)
Share-based Compensation				1,481
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues			13	1,305
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		1,313
Ending balance at Sep. 28, 2014			537	245,323	(414,282)	(9,831)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	$ (178,253)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	53,747	53,747
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax						(10,973)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax						4,528
Net Income (Loss)	$ 24,318				24,318
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,002				(1,002)
Share-based Compensation				1,971
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues			10	8
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		932
Ending balance at Sep. 27, 2015	(158,583)		547	247,302	(390,966)	(16,276)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	$ (159,393)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	54,679	54,679
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax						(11,001)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax						4,499
Net Income (Loss)	$ 36,019				36,019
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,058				(1,058)
Share-based Compensation				2,306
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues			11	132
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		1,092
Ending balance at Sep. 25, 2016	(127,541)		$ 558	$ 249,740	$ (356,005)	$ (22,778)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	$ (128,485)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	55,771	55,771

Investments in Associated Companies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

TNI Partners

In Tucson, Arizona, TNI, acting as agent for our subsidiary, Star Publishing Company (“Star Publishing”) and Citizen Publishing Company (“Citizen”), a subsidiary of Gannett Co. Inc., is responsible for printing, delivery, advertising and subscription activities of the Arizona Daily Star, as well as the related digital platforms and specialty publications. TNI collects all receipts and income and pays substantially all operating expenses incident to the partnership's operations and publication of the newspaper and other media.

Income or loss of TNI is allocated equally to Star Publishing and Citizen.

Summarized financial information of TNI is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

ASSETS

Current assets	5,107		5,761
Investments and other assets	12		33
Total assets	5,119		5,794

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities	6,484		4,787
Members' equity	(1,365	)	1,007
Total liabilities and members' equity	5,119		5,794

Summarized results of TNI are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Operating revenue	52,761	55,926	57,892
Operating expenses	41,804	45,413	47,229
Operating income	10,957	10,513	10,663

Company's 50% share	5,478	5,256	5,331
Less amortization of intangible assets	418	418	418
Equity in earnings of TNI	5,060	4,838	4,913

TNI makes weekly distributions of its earnings. We received $6,636,000, $5,475,000 and $5,246,000 in distributions in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Star Publishing's 50% share of TNI depreciation and certain general and administrative expenses associated with its share of the operation and administration of TNI are reported as operating expenses (benefit) in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss). These amounts totaled $149,000, $(254,000),and $(60,000), in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Fees for editorial services provided to TNI by Star Publishing totaled $5,599,000, $5,492,000, and $5,908,000 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At September 25, 2016, the carrying value of the Company's 50% investment in TNI is $15,933,000. The difference between our carrying value and our 50% share of the members' equity of TNI relates principally to goodwill of $12,366,000 and other identified intangible assets of $4,554,000, certain of which are being amortized over their estimated useful lives through 2020. See Note 3.

Annual amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be $418,000 in 2017, 2018, 2019, and $280,000 in 2020.

Madison Newspapers, Inc.

We have a 50% ownership interest in MNI, which publishes daily and Sunday newspapers, and other publications in Madison, Wisconsin, and other Wisconsin locations, and operates their related digital sites. Net income or loss of MNI (after income taxes) is allocated equally to us and The Capital Times Company (“TCT”). MNI conducts its business under the trade name Capital Newspapers.

Summarized financial information of MNI is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

ASSETS

Current assets	12,320	18,255
Investments and other assets	33,364	34,209
Total assets	45,684	52,464

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities	8,391	8,100
Other liabilities	9,500	9,235
Stockholders' equity	27,793	35,129
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	45,684	52,464

Summarized results of MNI are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Operating revenue	65,172	67,264	67,478
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	52,646	54,795	55,393
Workforce adjustments	39	459	244
Depreciation and amortization	1,684	1,630	1,626
Operating income	10,803	10,380	10,215
Net income	6,947	6,832	6,768
Equity in earnings of MNI	3,473	3,416	3,384

MNI makes quarterly distributions of its earnings. We received $7,250,000, $5,500,000 and $4,750,000 in distributions in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Fees for editorial services provided to MNI by us are included in other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and totaled $7,099,000, $7,242,000 and $7,050,000, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At September 25, 2016, the carrying value of the Company's 50% investment in MNI is $13,896,000.

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Goodwill, gross amount	1,532,458		1,532,458
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,288,729	)	(1,288,729	)
Goodwill, end of year	243,729		243,729

Identified intangible assets related to continuing operations consist of the following:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Non-amortized intangible assets:
Mastheads	23,644	25,102
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer and newspaper subscriber lists	687,182	687,182
Less accumulated amortization	552,472	526,322
	134,710	160,860
Non-compete and consulting agreements	28,524	28,524
Less accumulated amortization	28,524	28,524
	—	—
	158,354	185,962

In 2016, we performed a qualitative analysis to test our goodwill for impairment and concluded that the likelihood of an impairment was less than 50%. In 2015, we performed additional quantitative analysis of the carrying value of our goodwill and concluded the implied fair value of goodwill was significantly in excess of its carrying value. As a result no goodwill impairment was recorded. In 2014, we performed a qualitative analysis to test our goodwill for impairment and concluded that the likelihood of an impairment was less than 50%.

In 2016 and 2014, due to continuing revenue declines, we recorded non-cash charges to reduce the carrying value of non-amortized intangible assets. We also recorded pretax charges to reduce the carrying value of other assets in 2016 and 2014 in Impairment of intangible and other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss). We recorded deferred income tax benefits related to these charges.

A summary of the pretax impairment charges is included in the table below:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Continuing operations:
Non-amortized intangible assets	818	—	1,936
Property, equipment and other assets	1,367	—	1,044
	2,185	—	2,980

Annual amortization of intangible assets for the years ending September 2017 to September 2021 is estimated to be $25,030,000, $16,653,000, $15,972,000, $15,206,000, and $14,042,000, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Debt

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Debt [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

DEBT

On March 31, 2014, we completed a comprehensive refinancing of our debt (the “2014 Refinancing”), which includes the following:


•	$400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.5% Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes”) due March 2022, pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March 31, 2014 (the “Indenture”).


•	$250,000,000 first lien term loan (the "1^st Lien Term Loan") due March 2019 and $40,000,000 revolving facility (the "Revolving Facility") under a First Lien Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (together, the “1^st Lien Credit Facility”).


•	$150,000,000 second lien term loan under a Second Lien Loan Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (the “ 2^nd Lien Term Loan”) due December 2022 and bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 12.0%.

The Notes, 1^st Lien Credit Facility and 2^nd Lien Term Loan enabled us to repay in full, including accrued interest, and terminate, on March 31, 2014: (i) the remaining principal balance of $593,000,000 under our previous 1^st lien agreement and (ii) the remaining principal balance of $175,000,000 under our previous 2^ndlien agreement. We also used the proceeds of the refinancing to pay fees and expenses totaling $30,931,000 related to the 2014 Refinancing.

Notes

The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Company and mature on March 15, 2022. At September 25, 2016 the principal balance of the Notes is $385,000,000.

Interest

The Notes require payment of interest semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, at a fixed annual rate of 9.5%.

Redemption

We may redeem some, or all, of the principal amount of the Notes at any time on or after March 15, 2018 as follows:



Period Beginning	Percentage of Principal Amount

March 15, 2018	104.75
March 15, 2019	102.38
March 15, 2020	100.00

We may redeem up to 35% of the Notes prior to March 15, 2017 at 109.5% of the principal amount using the proceeds of certain future equity offerings.

We may repurchase Notes in the open market at any time. In 2016 we purchased $15,000,000 principal amount of Notes in privately negotiated transactions. The transactions resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt totaling $1,250,000, which is recorded in Other, net non-operating income (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

If we sell certain of our assets or experience specific types of changes of control, we must, subject to certain exceptions, offer to purchase the Notes at 101% of the principal amount. Any redemption of the Notes must also satisfy any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

Covenants and Other Matters

The Indenture and 1^st Lien Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants as discussed more fully below. However, certain of these covenants will cease to apply if the Notes are rated investment grade by either Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and there is no default or event of default under the Indenture.

1^st Lien Credit Facility

The 1^st Lien Credit Facility consists of the $250,000,000 1^st Lien Term Loan that matures in March 2019 and the $40,000,000 Revolving Facility that matures in December 2018. The 1^st Lien Credit Facility documents the primary terms of the 1^st Lien Term Loan and the Revolving Facility. The Revolving Facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes (including letters of credit). At September 25, 2016, after consideration of letters of credit, we have approximately $33,318,000 available for future use under the Revolving Facility.

Interest

Interest on the 1^st Lien Term Loan, which has a principal balance of $101,304,000 at September 25, 2016, accrues, at our option, at either (A) LIBOR plus 6.25% (with a LIBOR floor of 1.0%) or (B) 5.25% plus the higher of (i) the prime rate at the time, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (iii) one month LIBOR plus 1.0% (with a floor of 2.0%). Interest is payable quarterly.

The 1^st Lien Term Loan was funded with an original issue discount of 2.0%, or $5,000,000, which is being amortized as interest expense over the life of the 1^st Lien Term Loan.

Interest on the Revolving Facility, which has a principal balance of zero at September 25, 2016, accrues, at our option, at either (A) LIBOR plus 5.5%, or (B) 4.5% plus the higher of (i) the prime rate at the time, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (iii) one month LIBOR plus 1.0%.

Principal Payments

Quarterly principal payments of $6,250,000 are required under the 1^st Lien Term Loan, with additional payments required to be made based on 90% of excess cash flow of Lee Legacy ("Lee Legacy Excess Cash Flow"), as defined, or from proceeds of asset sales, which are not reinvested, as defined, from our subsidiaries other than Pulitzer Inc. ("Pulitzer") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Pulitzer Subsidiaries"). For excess cash flow calculation purposes Lee Legacy constitutes the business of the Company, including MNI, but excluding Pulitzer and TNI. We may voluntarily prepay principal amounts outstanding or reduce commitments under the 1^st Lien Credit Facility at any time without premium or penalty, upon proper notice and subject to certain limitations as to minimum amounts of prepayments.

Quarterly, the Company is required to prepare a Lee Legacy Excess Cash Flow calculation, which is generally determined as the cash earnings of our subsidiaries other than the Pulitzer Subsidiaries and is adjusted for changes in working capital, capital spending, pension contributions, debt principal payments and income tax payments or refunds. Any excess cash flow as calculated is required to be paid to the 1^st Lien lenders 45 days after the end of the quarter.

2016 payments made under the 1^st Lien Term Loan are summarized by quarter and fiscal year as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	December 27 2015	March 27 2016	June 26 2016	September 25 2016	2016

Mandatory	6,250	6,250	6,250	6,250	25,000
Voluntary	5,000	27,000	3,000	6,000	41,000
Excess cash flow	—	1,135	6,441	5,992	13,568
	11,250	34,385	15,691	18,242	79,568

In January 2016, we used $20,000,000 of the proceeds received from an insurance settlement to reduce outstanding debt under our 1^st Lien Term Loan. The majority of the remaining proceeds was used to repurchase Notes at a substantial discount.

Covenants and Other Matters

The 1^st Lien Credit Facility requires that we comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for financing of this nature, including a maximum total leverage ratio, which is only applicable to the Revolving Facility.

The 1^st Lien Credit Facility restricts us from paying dividends on our Common Stock. These restrictions no longer apply if Lee Legacy leverage is below 3.25x before and after such payments. Further, the 1^st Lien Credit Facility restricts or limits, among other things, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to: (i) incur indebtedness, (ii) enter into mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (iii) incur or create liens and (iv) enter into transactions with certain affiliates. The 1^st Lien Credit Facility contains various representations and warranties and may be terminated upon occurrence of certain events of default. The 1^st Lien Credit Facility also contains cross-default provisions tied to the terms of each of the Indenture and 2^nd Lien Term Loan.

2^nd Lien Term Loan

The 2^nd Lien Term Loan, which has a balance of $130,863,000 at September 25, 2016, bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 12.0%, payable quarterly, and matures in December 2022.

Principal Payments

There are no scheduled mandatory amortization payments required under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan.

Quarterly, we are required to prepare a calculation of excess cash flow of the Pulitzer Subsidiaries ("Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow"). Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow is generally determined as the cash earnings of the Pulitzer Subsidiaries adjusted for changes in working capital, capital spending, pension contributions, debt principal payments and income tax payments. Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow also includes a deduction for interest costs incurred under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan. Changes to settlement of certain intercompany costs between the Company and Pulitzer have been affected, with the net result being a reduction in the excess cash flows of Pulitzer from historically reported levels.

Under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan, subject to certain other conditions, Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow must be used, (a) prior to March 31, 2017, to make an offer to the 2^nd Lien Lenders to prepay amounts under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan at par (which offer the 2^nd Lien Lenders may accept or reject; if rejected, we may use the Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow to prepay amounts under the 1^st Lien Credit Facility or repurchase Notes in the open market), and (b) after March 31, 2017, to pay such amounts under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan at par. Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow payments are required to be offered and/or paid 45 days after the end of the quarter.

Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow and the related payments on the 2^nd Lien Term Loan made in 2016 are as follows:



For the Period Ending (Thousands of Dollars)	Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow	Payment Date	Payment Amount (not rejected)

September 27, 2015	5,143	Q1 2016	3,326
December 27, 2015	2,864	Q2 2016	1,867
March 27, 2016	2,730	Q3 2016	525
June 26, 2016	1,583	Q4 2016	299

There was no Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow for the quarter ended September 25, 2016.

Subject to certain other conditions in the 2^nd Lien Term Loan, the balance of the 2^nd Lien Term Loan will be repaid at par from proceeds from asset sales by the Pulitzer Subsidiaries that are not reinvested. We repaid $8,119,000 and $5,000,000 of the 2^nd Lien Term Loan, at par, due to the sale of assets at our Pulitzer properties in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Voluntary payments under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan are subject to call premiums as follows:



Period Beginning	Percentage of Principal Amount

March 31, 2014	112
March 31, 2017	106
March 31, 2018	103
March 31, 2019	100

Covenants and Other Matters

The 2^nd Lien Term Loan requires that we comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for financing of this nature, including the negative covenants under the 1^st Lien Credit Facility discussed above. The 2^nd Lien Term Loan contains various representations and warranties and may be terminated upon occurrence of certain events of default. The 2^nd Lien Term Loan also contains cross-default provisions tied to the terms of the Indenture and 1^st Lien Credit Facility.

In connection with the 2^nd Lien Term Loan, we entered into a Warrant Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (the “Warrant Agreement”). Under the Warrant Agreement, certain affiliates or designees of the 2^nd Lien Lenders received on March 31, 2014 their pro rata share of warrants to purchase, in cash, an initial aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions (the “Warrants”). The Warrants represent, when fully exercised, approximately 10.1% of shares of Common Stock outstanding at March 30, 2014 on a fully diluted basis. The exercise price of the Warrants is $4.19 per share.

The Warrant Agreement contains a cash settlement provision in the event of a change of control prior to March 31, 2018 as well as other provisions requiring the Warrants to be measured at fair value and included in other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We remeasure the fair value of the liability each reporting period, with changes reported in other, net non-operating income (expense). The initial fair value of the Warrants was $16,930,000. See Note 8.

In connection with the issuance of the Warrants, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The Registration Rights Agreement requires, among other matters, that we use our commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness for certain specified periods of a shelf registration statement related to the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants.

Security

The Notes and the 1^st Lien Credit Facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several first-priority basis by each of the Company's material domestic subsidiaries, excluding MNI, the Pulitzer Subsidiaries and TNI (the "Lee Legacy Assignors"), pursuant to a first lien guarantee and collateral agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (the "1^st Lien Guarantee and Collateral Agreement").

The Notes, the 1^st Lien Credit Facility and the subsidiary guarantees are secured, subject to certain exceptions, priorities and limitations, by perfected security interests in all property and assets, including certain real estate, of the Lee Legacy Assignors, other than the capital stock of MNI and any property and assets of MNI (the “Lee Legacy Collateral”), on a first-priority basis, equally and ratably with all of the Lee Legacy Assignors' existing and future obligations. The Lee Legacy Collateral includes, among other things, equipment, inventory, accounts receivables, depository accounts, intellectual property and certain of their other tangible and intangible assets.

Also, the Notes and the 1^st Lien Credit Facility are secured, subject to certain exceptions, priorities and limitations in the various agreements, by first-priority security interests in the capital stock of, and other equity interests owned by, the Lee Legacy Assignors (excluding the capital stock of MNI). The Notes and 1^st Lien Credit Facility are subject to a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement dated March 31, 2014.

The Notes, the 1^st Lien Credit Facility and the subsidiary guarantees are also secured, subject to permitted liens, by a second-priority security interest in the property and assets of the Pulitzer Subsidiaries that become subsidiary guarantors (the "Pulitzer Assignors") other than assets of or used in the operations or business of TNI (collectively, the “Pulitzer Collateral”). In June 2015 the Pulitzer Assignors became a party to the 1^st Lien Guarantee and Collateral Agreement on a second lien basis.

Also, the Notes and the 1^st Lien Credit Facility are secured, subject to certain exceptions, priorities, and limitations in the various agreements, by second-priority security interests in the capital stock of, and other equity interests in, the Pulitzer Assignors and Star Publishing’s interest in TNI.

The 2^nd Lien Term Loan is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several first-priority basis by the Pulitzer Assignors, pursuant to a Second Lien Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (the “2^nd Lien Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”) among the Pulitzer Assignors and the 2^nd Lien collateral agent.

Under the 2^nd Lien Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Pulitzer Assignors have granted (i) first-priority security interests, subject to certain priorities and limitations in the various agreements, in the Pulitzer Collateral and (ii) have granted first-priority lien mortgages or deeds of trust covering certain real estate, as collateral for the payment and performance of their obligations under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan.

Also, under the 2^nd Lien Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Lee Legacy Assignors have granted (i) second-priority security interests, subject to certain priorities and limitations in the various agreements, in the Lee Legacy Collateral, and (ii) have granted second-priority lien mortgages or deeds of trust covering certain real estate, as collateral for the payment and performance of their obligations under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan. Assets of, or used in the operations or business of, MNI are excluded.

The rights of each of the collateral agents with respect to the Lee Legacy Collateral and the Pulitzer Collateral are subject to customary intercreditor and intercompany agreements.

Other

In connection with the 2014 Refinancing, we capitalized $37,819,000 of debt financing costs. Amortization of debt financing costs totaled $5,541,000, $4,693,000 and $2,145,000 in 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively. Amortization of such costs is estimated to total $4,176,000 in 2017, $4,245,000 in 2018, $4,044,000 in 2019, $4,040,000 in 2020 and $4,217,000 in 2021. At September 25, 2016 we have $26,271,000 of unamortized debt financing costs recorded in other long term assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Debt is summarized as follows:



			Interest Rates (%)
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015	September 25 2016

Revolving Facility	—	—	5.65
1^stLien Term Loan	101,304	180,872	7.25
Notes	385,000	400,000	9.50
2^ndLien Term Loan	130,863	145,000	12.00
	617,167	725,872
Less current maturities of long-term debt	25,070	25,000
Total long-term debt	592,097	700,872

At September 25, 2016, our weighted average cost of debt, excluding amortization of debt financing costs, is 9.7%.

Aggregate minimum required maturities of debt excluding amounts required to be paid from excess cash flow requirements at September 25, 2016 total $25,070,000 for 2017, $25,000,000 in 2018, $51,234,000 in 2019, zero in 2020, zero in 2021 and $515,863,000 thereafter.

Liquidity

At September 25, 2016, after consideration of letters of credit, we have approximately $33,318,000 available for future use under our Revolving Facility. Including cash, our liquidity at September 25, 2016 totals $50,302,000. This liquidity amount excludes any future cash flows. We expect all interest and principal payments due in the next twelve months will be satisfied by our cash flows, which will allow us to maintain an adequate level of liquidity. The Warrants, if and when exercised, would provide additional liquidity in an amount up to $25,140,000 subject to a reduction for any amounts the Company may elect to use to repay our 1^st Lien Term Loan and/or the Notes.

The 2014 Refinancing significantly improved our debt maturity profile. Final maturities of our debt have been extended to dates from December 2018 through December 2022. As a result, we believe refinancing risk has been substantially reduced for the next several years.

There are numerous potential consequences under the Notes, 1st Lien Credit Facility and 2nd Lien Term Loan, if an event of default, as defined, occurs and is not remedied. Many of those consequences are beyond our control. The occurrence of one or more events of default would give rise to the right of the applicable lender(s) to exercise their remedies under the Notes, 1st Lien Credit Facility and 2nd Lien Term Loan, respectively, including, without limitation, the right to accelerate all outstanding debt and take actions authorized in such circumstances under applicable collateral security documents.

Our ability to operate as a going concern is dependent on our ability to remain in compliance with debt covenants and to repay, refinance or amend our debt agreements as they become due. The Notes, 1st Lien Credit Facility and 2nd Lien Term Loan have only limited affirmative covenants with which we are required to maintain compliance. We are in compliance with our debt covenants at September 25, 2016.

Pensions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Pension Disclosure [Abstract]

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

PENSION PLANS

We have several non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that together cover selected employees. Benefits under the plans were generally based on salary and years of service. Effective in 2012, substantially all benefits are frozen and only a small amount of additional benefits are being accrued. Our liability and related expense for benefits under the plans are recorded over the service period of employees based upon annual actuarial calculations. Plan funding strategies are influenced by government regulations. Plan assets consist primarily of domestic and foreign corporate equity securities, government and corporate bonds, hedge fund investments and cash.

The net periodic cost (benefit) components of our pension plans are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015		2014

Service cost for benefits earned during the year	197		232		156
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	6,061		8,122		7,996
Expected return on plan assets	(8,698	)	(9,863	)	(9,932	)
Amortization of net loss	2,397		1,682		423
Amortization of prior service benefit	(136	)	(136	)	(136	)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	(179	)	37		(1,493	)

Net periodic pension benefit of $56,000 is allocated to TNI in 2016, 2015 and 2014

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Benefit obligation, beginning of year	193,751		199,197
Service cost	197		232
Interest cost	6,061		8,122
Actuarial loss (gain)	13,630		(2,543	)
Benefits paid	(11,481	)	(11,257	)
Benefit obligation, end of year	202,158		193,751
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:	143,288		151,013
Actual return on plan assets	14,819		1,817
Benefits paid	(11,481	)	(11,257	)
Administrative expenses paid	(2,099	)	(1,862	)
Employer contributions	4,604		3,577
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	149,131		143,288
Funded status - benefit obligation in excess of plan assets	53,027		50,463

Disaggregated amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

Pension obligations	53,027		50,463
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before income taxes)	(54,862	)	(47,515	)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

Unrecognized net actuarial loss	(55,241	)	(48,031	)
Unrecognized prior service benefit	379		516
	(54,862	)	(47,515	)

We expect to recognize $2,947,000 and $137,000 of unrecognized net actuarial loss and unrecognized prior service benefit, respectively, in net periodic pension cost in 2017.

The accumulated benefit obligation for the plans total $202,158,000 at September 25, 2016 and $193,751,000 at September 27, 2015. The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets are $202,158,000, $202,158,000 and $149,131,000, respectively, at September 25, 2016.

Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations are as follows:



(Percent)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Discount rate	3.5	4.2

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



(Percent)	2016	2015	2014

Discount rate	4.2	4.2	4.7
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.3	6.8	7.0

For 2016, the expected long-term return on plan assets is 5.5%. The assumptions related to the expected long-term return on plan assets are developed through an analysis of historical market returns, current market conditions and composition of plan assets.

Plan Assets

The primary objective of our investment strategy is to satisfy our pension obligations at a reasonable cost. Assets are actively invested to balance real growth of capital through appreciation and reinvestment of dividend and interest income and safety of invested funds.

Our investment policy outlines the governance structure for decision making, sets investment objectives and restrictions and establishes criteria for selecting and evaluating investment managers. The use of derivatives is strictly prohibited, except on a case-by-case basis where the manager has a proven capability, and only to hedge quantifiable risks such as exposure to foreign currencies. An investment committee, consisting of certain of our executives and supported by independent consultants, is responsible for monitoring compliance with the investment policy. Assets are periodically redistributed to maintain the appropriate policy allocation.

The weighted-average asset allocation of our pension assets is as follows:



(Percent)	Policy Allocation	Actual Allocation
Asset Class	September 25 2016	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Equity securities	50	50	46
Debt securities	35	33	37
TIPS	5	4	4
Hedge fund investments	10	11	11
Cash and cash equivalents	—	2	2

Plan assets include no Company securities. Assets include cash and cash equivalents and receivables from time to time due to the need to reallocate assets within policy guidelines.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value hierarchy of pension assets at September 25, 2016 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	2,757	—
Domestic equity securities	—	9,669	49,809
International equity securities	—	6,773	7,755
TIPS	—	6,883	—
Debt securities	14,558	25,612	9,648
Hedge fund investments	17,531	—	—

The fair value hierarchy of pension assets at September 27, 2015 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	2,407	—
Domestic equity securities	—	8,153	44,470
International equity securities	—	6,286	7,389
TIPS	—	6,450	—
Debt securities	17,246	31,196	4,124
Hedge fund investments	17,344	—	—

There were no purchases, sales or transfers of assets classified as Level 3 in 2016 or 2015.

Cash Flows

Based on our forecast at September 25, 2016, we do not expect to make contributions to our pension trust in 2017.

We anticipate future benefit payments to be paid from the pension trust as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)

2017	11,803
2018	11,735
2019	11,757
2020	11,728
2021	11,735
2022-2026	58,487

Other Plans

We are obligated under an unfunded plan to provide fixed retirement payments to certain former employees. The plan is frozen and no additional benefits are being accrued. The accrued liability under the plan is $2,232,000 and $2,337,000 at September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015, respectively, of which $113,000 and $278,000 is included in compensation and other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015 , respectively.

Postretirement Obligations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

We provide retiree medical and life insurance benefits under postretirement plans at several of our operating locations. The level and adjustment of participant contributions vary depending on the specific plan. In addition, St. Louis Post Dispatch LLC ("PD LLC") provides postemployment disability benefits to certain employee groups prior to retirement. Our liability and related expense for benefits under the postretirement plans are recorded over the service period of active employees based upon annual actuarial calculations. We accrue postemployment disability benefits when it becomes probable that such benefits will be paid and when sufficient information exists to make reasonable estimates of the amounts to be paid.

The net periodic postretirement benefit cost (benefit) components for our postretirement plans are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015		2014

Service cost for benefits earned during the year	63		76		596
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	623		922		911
Expected return on plan assets	(1,322	)	(1,445	)	(1,483	)
Amortization of net actuarial gain	(1,093	)	(1,386	)	(1,819	)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(1,459	)	(1,459	)	(1,459	)
Net periodic postretirement benefit	(3,188	)	(3,292	)	(3,254	)

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Benefit obligation, beginning of year	23,812		25,506
Service cost	63		76
Interest cost	623		922
Actuarial loss (gain)	(773	)	(1,149	)
Benefits paid, net of premiums received	(1,434	)	(1,541	)
Medicare Part D subsidies	220		(2	)
Benefit obligation, end of year	22,511		23,812
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	30,123		32,881
Actual return on plan assets	1,085		(547	)
Employer contributions	563		745
Benefits paid, net of premiums and Medicare Part D subsidies received	(1,213	)	(1,544	)
Benefits paid for active employees	(1,510	)	(1,412	)
Allocation to active medical plans	(4,925	)	—
Fair value of plan assets at measurement date	24,123		30,123
Funded status - benefit obligation less than plan assets	(1,612	)	(6,311	)

The accumulated benefit obligation for plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets included in the table above was $7,527,000 at September 25, 2016. These plans are unfunded.

Disaggregated amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Non-current assets	9,138	13,420
Postretirement benefit obligations	7,527	7,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before income tax benefit)	19,026	22,551

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Unrecognized net actuarial gain	11,089	13,155
Unrecognized prior service benefit	7,937	9,396
	19,026	22,551

We expect to recognize $1,016,000 and $1,459,000 of unrecognized net actuarial gain and unrecognized prior service benefit, respectively, in net periodic postretirement benefit in 2017.

Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine post retirement benefit obligations are as follows:



(Percent)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Discount rate	3.1	3.7
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5

The assumptions related to the expected long-term return on plan assets are developed through an analysis of historical market returns, current market conditions and composition of plan assets.

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



(Percent)	2016	2015	2014

Discount rate	3.7	3.7	4.0
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5	4.5

Assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:



(Percent)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Health care cost trend rates	9.0	9.0
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the “Ultimate Trend Rate”)	4.5	4.5
Year in which the rate reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate	2025	2025

Administrative costs related to indemnity plans are assumed to increase at the health care cost trend rates noted above.

Assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement plans. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following annualized effects on reported amounts for 2016:



	One Percentage Point
(Thousands of Dollars)	Increase	Decrease

Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit	20	(18	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	697	(629	)

Plan Assets

Assets of the retiree medical plan are invested in a master trust. The master trust also pays benefits of active employee medical plans for the same union employees. In 2016, it was determined that the assets of the retiree medical plan should be allocated among all plans that it funds and as a result, we allocated $4,925,000 of the retiree medical plan assets to the active medical plans during the year. The fair value of master trust assets allocated to the retiree medical plan is $24,123,000 at September 25, 2016. The fair value of master trust assets allocated to the active employee medical plans at September 25, 2016 is $4,925,000.

The primary objective of our investment strategy is to satisfy our postretirement obligations at a reasonable cost. Assets are actively invested to balance real growth of capital through appreciation and reinvestment of dividend and interest income and safety of invested funds.

Our investment policy outlines the governance structure for decision making, sets investment objectives and restrictions, and establishes criteria for selecting and evaluating investment managers. The use of derivatives is strictly prohibited, except on a case-by-case basis where the manager has a proven capability, and only to hedge quantifiable risks such as exposure to foreign currencies. An investment committee, consisting of certain of our executives and supported by independent consultants, is responsible for monitoring compliance with the investment policy. Assets are periodically redistributed to maintain the appropriate policy allocation.

The weighted-average asset allocation of our postretirement assets is as follows:



(Percent)	Policy Allocation	Actual Allocation
Asset Class	September 25 2016	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Equity securities	20	22	19
Debt securities	70	65	68
Hedge fund investment	10	11	10
Cash and cash equivalents	—	2	3

Plan assets include no Company securities. Assets include cash and cash equivalents and receivables from time to time due to the need to reallocate assets within policy guidelines.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value hierarchy of postretirement assets at September 25, 2016 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	518	—
Domestic equity securities	—	3,342	1,572
International equity securities	—	695	898
Debt securities	—	18,840	—
Hedge fund investment	3,182	—	—

The fair value hierarchy of postretirement assets at September 27, 2015 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	790	—
Domestic equity securities	—	2,896	1,372
International equity securities	—	645	857
Debt securities	—	13,910	6,581
Hedge fund investment	3,072	—	—

There were no purchases, sales or transfers of assets classified as Level 3 in 2016 or 2015.

Cash Flows

Based on our forecast at September 25, 2016, we do not expect to contribute to our postretirement plans in 2017.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Modernization Act”) introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (“Medicare Part D”) and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans (“Subsidy”) that provide a benefit at least actuarially equivalent (as that term is defined in the Modernization Act) to Medicare Part D. We concluded we qualify for the Subsidy under the Modernization Act since the prescription drug benefits provided under our postretirement health care plans generally require lower premiums from covered retirees and have lower deductibles than the benefits provided in Medicare Part D and, accordingly, are actuarially equivalent to or better than, the benefits provided under the Modernization Act.

We anticipate future benefit payments to be paid either with future contributions to the plan or directly from plan assets, as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	Gross Payments	Less Medicare Part D Subsidy		Net Payments

2017	3,600	(200	)	3,400
2018	1,870	(210	)	1,660
2019	1,910	(210	)	1,700
2020	1,880	(210	)	1,670
2021	1,790	(200	)	1,590
2022-2026	7,910	(870	)	7,040

Postemployment Plan

Our postemployment benefit obligation, representing certain disability benefits, is $3,190,000 at September 25, 2016 and $3,951,000 at September 27, 2015.

Other Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Retirement Plans [Text Block]

OTHER RETIREMENT PLANS

Substantially all of our employees are eligible to participate in a qualified defined contribution retirement plan. We also have a non-qualified plan for employees whose incomes exceed qualified plan limits.

Retirement and compensation plan costs, including costs related to stock based compensation and interest on deferred compensation costs, charged to continuing operations are $4,616,000 in 2016, $4,125,000 in 2015 and $3,963,000 in 2014.

Multiemployer Pension Plans

We contribute to three multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements ("CBAs"). The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from our company-sponsored plans in the following aspects:


•	We do not manage the plan investments or any other aspect of plan administration;


•	Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers;


•	If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and


•	If we choose to stop participating in one or more multiemployer plans, we may be required to fund over time an amount based on the unfunded status of the plan at the time of withdrawal, referred to as "withdrawal liability".

Information related to these plans is outlined in the table below:



(Thousands of Dollars)	Zone Status September 30		Funding Improvement Plan/Rehabilitation Plan Status	Contributions
Pension Plan	2016	2015	Status	2016	2015	2014	Surcharge Imposed	Expiration Dates of CBAs

GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund 91-6024903/001	Red	Red	Implemented	138	145	265	No	1/13/2017
GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund 91-6024903/001								8/31/2017
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan 13-6212879/001	Red	Red	Implemented	108	122	133	No	5/12/2017
								12/31/2017
								4/1/2017
								8/31/2017
District No. 9, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Pension Trust 43-0736847/001	Green	Green	N/A	31	34	37	N/A	2/28/2017

Multiemployer plans in red zone status are generally less well funded than plans in green zone status.

One of our enterprise's bargaining units withdrew from representation, and as a result we are subject to a future claim from the multiemployer pension plan for a withdrawal liability. The amount and timing of such liability will be dependent on actions taken, or not taken, by the Company and the pension plan, as well as the future investment performance and funding status of the pension plan. Any withdrawal liability determined to be due under this plan will be funded over a period of 20 years.

Common Stock and Class B Common Stock	12 Months Ended
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock	Sep. 25, 2016
Common Stock And Class B Common Stock [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock by Class [Text Block]	COMMON STOCK, CLASS B COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS Common Stock The par value of our Common Stock was changed from $2.00 per share to $0.01 per share effective January 30, 2012. Holders of our previous 2^nd lien agreement shared in the issuance of 6,743,640 shares of our Common Stock, an amount equal to 13% of outstanding shares on a pro forma basis as of January 30, 2012. In connection with the currently outstanding 2nd Lien Term Loan, we entered into the Warrant Agreement. Under the Warrant Agreement, certain affiliates or designees of the 2nd Lien Lenders received on March 31, 2014 their pro rata share of Warrants to purchase, in cash, 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions. The Warrants represent, when fully exercised, approximately 10.1% of shares of Common Stock outstanding at March 30, 2014 on a fully diluted basis. The exercise price of the Warrants is $4.19 per share. The Warrant Agreement contains a cash settlement provision in the event of a change of control prior to March 31, 2018, as well as other provisions requiring the Warrants be measured at fair value and classified as other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We remeasure the liability to fair value each reporting period, with changes reported in other non-operating income (expense). The initial fair value of the Warrants was $16,930,000. At September 25, 2016, the fair value of the Warrants is $11,760,000. In connection with the issuance of the Warrants, we entered into the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement requires, among other matters, that we use our commercially reasonable efforts to file and maintain the effectiveness for certain specified periods of a shelf registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants. Class B Common Stock In 1986, one share of Class B Common Stock was issued as a dividend for each share of Common Stock held by stockholders of record at the time. The transfer of Class B Common Stock was restricted. As originally anticipated, the number of outstanding Class B shares decreased over time through trading and reached the sunset level of 5,600,000 shares in March 2011. In March 2011, in accordance with the sunset provisions established in 1986, we effected conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock to Common Stock. As a result, all stockholders have one vote per share on all future matters. Class B shares formerly had ten votes per share. Preferred Share Purchase Rights In 1998, the Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”). Under the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one Preferred Share Purchase Right (“Right”) for each outstanding share of our Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (collectively “Common Shares”). Rights are attached to, and automatically trade with, our Common Shares. In 2008, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Rights Plan. The amendment increased the beneficial ownership threshold to 25% from 20% for stockholders purchasing Common Stock for passive investment only and decreased the threshold to 15% for all other investors. In addition, the amendment extended the expiration of the Rights Plan to May 31, 2018 from May 31, 2008. Rights become exercisable only in the event that any person or group of affiliated persons other than a passive investor becomes a holder of 15% or more of our outstanding Common Shares, or commences a tender or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in that person or group of affiliated persons owning at least 15% of our outstanding Common Shares. Once the Rights become exercisable, they entitle all other stockholders to purchase, by payment of a $150 exercise price, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment, with a value of twice the exercise price. In addition, at any time after a 15% position is acquired and prior to the acquisition of a 50% position, the Board of Directors may require, in whole or in part, each outstanding Right (other than Rights held by the acquiring person or group of affiliated persons) to be exchanged for one share of Common Stock or one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. The Rights may be redeemed at a price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to their expiration.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of an entity's stock, including par or stated value per share, number and dollar amount of share subscriptions, shares authorized, shares issued, shares outstanding, number and dollar amount of shares held in an employee trust, dividend per share, total dividends, share conversion features, par value plus additional paid in capital, the value of treasury stock and other information necessary to a fair presentation, and EPS information. Stock by class includes common, convertible, and preferred stocks which are not redeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Includes preferred stock with redemption features that are solely within the control of the issuer and mandatorily redeemable stock if redemption is required to occur only upon liquidation or termination of the reporting entity. If more than one issue is outstanding, state the title of each issue and the corresponding dollar amount; dollar amount of any shares subscribed but unissued and the deduction of subscriptions receivable there from; number of shares authorized, issued, and outstanding.

+ References

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+ Details

Stock Ownership Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Stock Ownership Plans [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

Total non-cash stock compensation expense is $2,306,000, $1,971,000 and $1,481,000, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At September 25, 2016, we have reserved 4,460,214 shares of Common Stock for issuance to employees under an incentive and nonstatutory stock option and restricted stock plan approved by stockholders. At September 25, 2016, 2,762,549 shares are available for granting of non-qualified stock options or issuance of restricted Common Stock.

Stock Options

Options are granted at a price equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant and are exercisable, upon vesting, over a ten-year period.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:



(Thousands of Shares)	2016		2015		2014

Under option, beginning of year	1,871		2,333		2,769
Granted	—		—		15
Exercised	(74	)	(289	)	(342	)
Canceled	(99	)	(173	)	(109	)
Under option, end of year	1,698		1,871		2,333
Exercisable, end of year	1,692		1,840		1,786

Weighted average prices of stock options are as follows:



(Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Granted	—	—	2.99
Exercised	1.17	1.27	2.01
Cancelled	8.78	5.02	10.98
Under option, end of year	2.42	2.71	2.70

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of option awards:



					2014

Volatility (Percent)					91
Risk-free interest rate (Percent)					1.24
Expected term (Years)					4.5
Estimated fair value (Dollars)					2.02

A summary of stock options outstanding at September 25, 2016 is as follows:



(Dollars)	Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding (Thousands)	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price	Number Exercisable (Thousands)	Weighted Average Exercise Price

1 - 5	1,659	4.5	1.80	1,653	1.80
25 - 50	39	0.1	28.72	39	28.72
	1,698	4.4	2.42	1,692	2.42

Total unrecognized compensation expense for unvested stock options at September 25, 2016 is $1,000, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.1 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding at September 25, 2016 is $3,227,000.

Restricted Common Stock

A summary of restricted Common Stock activity follows:



(Thousands of Shares)	2016		2015		2014

Outstanding, beginning of year	1,546		1,291		500
Granted	1,018		786		817
Vested	(63	)	(500	)	—
Forfeited	(39	)	(31	)	(26	)
Outstanding, end of year	2,462		1,546		1,291

Weighted average grant date fair values of restricted Common Stock are as follows:



(Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Outstanding, beginning of year	3.62	2.72	1.31
Granted	1.49	3.62	3.61
Vested	3.39	1.31	—
Forfeited	3.31	3.62	3.61
Outstanding, end of year	2.74	3.62	2.72

Total unrecognized compensation expense for unvested restricted Common Stock at September 25, 2016 is $2,260,000, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

In December 2016, we issued 832,500 shares of restricted Common Stock to employees. The grant date fair value was $3.35 per share. All restrictions lapse in December 2019 with respect to these shares.

Stock Purchase Plans

We have 270,000 shares of Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We also have 8,700 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under our Supplemental Employee Stock Purchase Plan. There has been no activity under these plans in 2016, 2015 or 2014.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense consists of the following:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015		2014

Current:
Federal	1,241	720		451
State	379	(92	)	(571	)
Deferred	20,556	12,966		6,410
	22,176	13,594		6,290

Income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes. The reasons for these differences are as follows:



(Percent of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes)	2016		2015		2014

Computed “expected” income tax expense (benefit)	35.0		35.0		35.0
State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal tax impact	3.8		(7.1	)	11.0
Net income of associated companies taxed at dividend rates	(2.6	)	(5.2	)	(9.3	)
Resolution of tax matters	3.2		0.5		3.6
Non-deductible expenses	1.0		2.8		7.9
Valuation allowance	(7.7	)	15.9		(4.5	)
Warrant valuation	5.0		(6.1	)	(15.1	)
CODI tax attribute reduction	—		—		18.3
Other	0.4		0.1		(1.8	)
	38.1		35.9		45.1

Net deferred income tax liabilities consist of the following components:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(33,549	)	(35,593	)
Identified intangible assets	(43,745	)	(51,380	)
Long-term debt	(16,158	)	(15,176	)
	(93,452	)	(102,149	)
Deferred income tax assets:
Investments	12,138		17,521
Accrued compensation	6,391		4,551
Allowance for doubtful accounts and losses on loans	1,273		1,184
Pension and postretirement benefits	6,505		5,719
Net operating loss carryforwards	52,604		81,228
Accrued expenses	577		572
Other	3,634		1,720
	83,122		112,495
Valuation allowance	(27,978	)	(32,483	)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	(38,308	)	(22,137	)

All deferred taxes are categorized as non-current because the Company elected to early adopt ASU 2015-17. See Note 16, Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards.

A reconciliation of 2016 and 2015 changes in gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Balance, beginning of year	11,799		13,520
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years	46		(1,861	)
Increases in tax positions for the current year	1,600		1,098
Lapse in statute of limitations	(914	)	(958	)
Balance, end of year	12,531		11,799

Approximately $8,025,000 and $7,475,000 of the gross unrecognized tax benefit balances for 2016 and 2015 respectively, relate to state net operating losses which are netted against deferred taxes on our balance sheet. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $8,213,000 at September 25, 2016. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The amount of accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was, net of tax, $317,000 at September 25, 2016 and $330,000 at September 27, 2015. There were no amounts provided for penalties at September 25, 2016 or September 27, 2015.

No significant income tax audits are currently in progress and the Company has not received any notices of intent to audit. Certain of the Company's state income tax returns for the year ended September 30, 2012 are open for examination. The Federal and remaining state returns are open beginning with the September 29, 2013 year.

At September 25, 2016, we had approximately $57,392,000 of state net operating loss ("NOL") tax benefits that expire between 2017 and 2036. At September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015 the Company had deferred income tax assets related to state NOL carryforwards of $37,305,000 and $34,623,000, respectively, a portion of which are offset by a valuation allowances. In 2016, the Company reduced its state valuation allowance by $3,655,000 based on projected future earnings in the carryforward periods. In 2015, the Company recorded an additional valuation allowance of $6,043,000 due to increases in cumulative losses and other deferred tax assets not realizable within their carryforward periods.

We reported a Federal NOL of approximately $165,489,000 for our 2014 year. We reported taxable income on our 2015 tax return which reduced the Federal NOL to $136,630,000. We expect to record taxable income in 2016 which will further reduce the Federal NOL to $58,618,000 resulting in a deferred income tax asset balance of $20,615,000 at September 25, 2016. A valuation allowance is not required for the Federal NOL at September 25, 2016 based on our projection of future earnings during the carryforward period.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate value.

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. Investments totaling $6,359,000, including our 17% ownership of the non-voting common stock of TCT and a private equity investment, are carried at cost. As of September 25, 2016, the approximate fair value of our private equity investment is $8,164,000, which is a level 3 fair value measurement.

The fair value of floating rate debt, which consists of our 1^st Lien Term Loan, is $101,240,000, based on an average of private market price quotations. Our fixed rate debt consists of $385,000,000 principal amount of the Notes and, $130,863,000 principal amount under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan. At September 25, 2016, based on an average of private market price quotations, the fair values were $399,437,000 and $136,833,000 for the Notes and 2nd Lien Term Loan, respectively.

As discussed more fully in Notes 4 and 8, we recorded a liability for the Warrants issued in connection with the Warrant Agreement. The liability was initially measured at its fair value and we will remeasure the liability to fair value each reporting period, with changes reported in other non-operating income (expense). The initial fair value of the Warrants was $16,930,000. The fair value of the Warrants at September 25, 2016, September 27, 2015 and September 28, 2014 are $11,760,000, $4,240,000 and $10,808,000, respectively. In other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss), we recognized expense of $7,520,000 in 2016 and income of $6,568,000 and $6,122,000 in 2015 and 2014, respectively, for adjustments in the fair value of the Warrants.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Warrants:



	2016	2015	2014

Volatility (Percent)	63	61	55
Risk-free interest rate (Percent)	1.25	1.75	2.34
Expected term (Years)	5.5	6.5	7.5
Estimated fair value (Dollars)	1.96	0.71	1.80

In 2016 and 2014, we reduced the carrying value of equipment and other assets no longer in use by $1,367,000 and $1,044,000, respectively, based on estimates of the related fair value in the current market. Based on age, condition and marketability we estimated the assets had no value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Earnings per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Earnings Loss Per Common Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:



(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except Per Common Share Data)	2016		2015		2014

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	34,961		23,316		6,795

Weighted average Common Stock	55,493		54,430		53,438
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock	(2,295	)	(1,790	)	(1,165	)
Basic average Common Stock	53,198		52,640		52,273
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock	1,026		1,291		1,463
Diluted average Common Stock	54,224		53,931		53,736
Earnings per common share:
Basic:	0.66		0.44		0.13
Diluted	0.64		0.43		0.13

For 2016, 2015 and 2014, we had 7,577,000, 6,620,000 and 3,121,000 weighted average shares, respectively, not considered in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share because the exercise prices of the related stock options and Warrants were in excess of the fair market value of our Common Stock.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Valuation and qualifying account information related to the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable related to continuing operations is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015		2014

Balance, beginning of year	4,194		4,526		4,501
Additions charged to expense	1,195		1,307		1,754
Deductions from reserves	(1,062	)	(1,639	)	(1,729	)
Balance, end of year	4,327		4,194		4,526

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Other Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Other Information [Text Block]

OTHER INFORMATION

Compensation and other accrued liabilities consist of the following:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Compensation	12,290	12,454
Retirement plans	4,135	3,459
Other	7,459	11,142
	23,884	27,055

Cash payments are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Interest	65,410	72,937	81,363
Debt financing and reorganization costs	422	733	31,587
Income tax payments (refunds), net	269	485	(6,022	)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes at September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015, is related to pension and postretirement benefits.

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 25, 2016
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Operating Leases We have operating lease commitments for certain of our office, production and distribution facilities. Management expects that in the normal course of business, existing leases will be renewed or replaced. Minimum lease payments during the five years ending September 2021 and thereafter are $3,065,000, $2,535,000, $1,383,000, $878,000, $755,000 and $3,776,000, respectively. Total operating lease expense is $3,792,000, $3,415,000 and $3,735,000, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capital Expenditures At September 25, 2016, we had construction and equipment purchase commitments totaling approximately $479,000. Income Taxes Commitments exclude unrecognized tax benefits to be recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. We are unable to reasonably estimate the ultimate amount or timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities for such matters. See Note 10. We file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and various state tax jurisdictions. From time to time, we are subject to routine audits by those agencies, and those audits may result in proposed adjustments. We have considered the alternative interpretations that may be assumed by the various taxing agencies, believe our positions taken regarding our filings are valid, and that adequate tax liabilities have been recorded to resolve such matters. However, the actual outcome cannot be determined with certainty and the difference could be material, either positively or negatively, to the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the periods in which such matters are ultimately determined. We do not believe the final resolution of such matters will be material to our consolidated financial position or cash flows. We have various income tax examinations ongoing and at various stages of completion, but generally our income tax returns have been audited or closed to audit through 2009. Legal Proceedings We are involved in a variety of legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. Insurance coverage mitigates potential loss for certain of these matters. While we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these legal actions, it is our opinion that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements, taken as a whole. Multiemployer Pension Plans One of our enterprise's bargaining units withdrew from representation, and as a result we are subject to a future claim from the multiemployer pension plan for a withdrawal liability. The amount and timing of such liability will be dependent on actions taken, or not taken, by the Company and the pension plan, as well as the future investment performance and funding status of the pension plan. Any withdrawal liability determined to be due under this plan will be funded over a period of 20 years.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)	12 Months Ended
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)	Sep. 25, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	IMPACT OF RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to Accounting Standards Codification Standard 740: Income Taxes related to the classification of net deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. To simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes, the amendment requires that deferred income tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We elected to adopt this standard in 2016 and have applied this standard retrospectively. As a result, we have reclassified $15,659,000 of current assets to a reduction of the long-term deferred tax liability in the September 27, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet. In May 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate NAV per Share (or Its Equivalent) (“ASU 2015-07”). Under the guidance, investments measured at NAV, as a practical expedient for fair value, are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Removing investments measured using the practical expedient from the fair value hierarchy is intended to eliminate the diversity in practice that currently exists with respect to the categorization of these investments. The new guidance is effective in 2017, however early adoption is permitted. We have elected to early adopt ASU 2015-07 retrospectively for the investments eligible for the NAV practical expedient.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66092750

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e765-108305

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e725-108305

+ Details

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)



	Quarter Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Common Share Data)	December	March	June	September

2016

Operating revenue	168,405	146,835	150,946	148,178

Net income	11,508	19,483	4,367	661

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	11,237	19,228	4,092	404

Earnings per common share:
Basic	0.21	0.36	0.08	0.01
Diluted	0.21	0.36	0.08	0.01

2015

Operating revenue	177,210	156,557	158,677	156,099

Net income	10,007	2,042	2,135	10,134

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	9,753	1,800	1,882	9,881

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	0.19	0.03	0.04	0.18
Diluted	0.18	0.03	0.03	0.18

Results of operations for the September quarter of 2016 include pre-tax non-cash impairment charges of $2,382,000.

Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Non-controlling Interest Policy [Policy Text Block]

Non-controlling Interest

Non-controlling interest in earnings of TownNews.com is recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Uninsured Risks Policy [Policy Text Block]

Uninsured Risks

We are self-insured for health care, workers compensation and certain long-term disability costs of our employees, subject to stop loss insurance, which limits our losses in the event of large claims. We accrue our estimated health care costs in the period in which such costs are incurred, including an estimate of incurred but not reported claims. Other risks are insured and carry deductible losses of varying amounts. Letters of credit and performance bonds totaling $5,107,000 at September 25, 2016 are outstanding in support of our insurance program.

Our accrued reserves for health care and workers compensation claims are based upon estimates of the remaining liability for retained losses made by consulting actuaries. The amount of workers compensation reserve has been determined based upon historical patterns of incurred and paid loss development factors from the insurance industry.

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned, except for our 50% interest in TNI, 50% interest in MNI and 82.5% interest in TownNews.com. TNI and MNI are accounted for under the equity method. Results of TownNews.com are consolidated.

Fiscal Year

All of our enterprises use period accounting with the fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September.

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events through December 9, 2016. No events have occurred subsequent to September 25, 2016 that require disclosure or recognition in these financial statements, except as included herein.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying

values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Principles of Consolidation

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Investments in TNI and MNI are accounted for using the equity method and are reported at cost, plus our share of undistributed earnings since acquisition less, for TNI, amortization of, and reductions in the value of, intangible assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.

Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable and are classified as financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Accounts Receivable

We evaluate our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on historical credit experience, payment trends and other economic factors. Delinquency is determined based on timing of payments in relation to billing dates. Accounts considered to be uncollectible are written off.

Inventories

Newsprint inventories are priced at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out or last-in, first-out methods. Newsprint inventories at September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015 are less than replacement cost by $1,900,000 and $1,780,000, respectively.

The components of newsprint inventory by cost method are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

First-in, first-out	1,064	786
Last-in, first-out	1,627	1,547
	2,691	2,333

Other inventories consisting of ink, plates and film are priced at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Other Investments

Other investments primarily consist of marketable securities held in trust under a deferred compensation arrangement and investments for which no established market exists. Marketable securities are classified as trading securities and carried at fair value with gains and losses reported in earnings. Non-marketable securities are carried at cost.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Equipment, except for printing presses and preprint insertion equipment, is depreciated primarily by declining-balance methods. The straight-line method is used for all other assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:



	Years

Buildings and improvements	5 - 54
Printing presses and insertion equipment	3 - 28
Other	3 - 17

We capitalize interest as a component of the cost of constructing major facilities. At September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015, capitalized interest was not significant.

We recognize the fair value of a liability for a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity when such activity is a condition of a future event and the fair value of the liability can be estimated.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include covenants not to compete, consulting agreements, customer lists, newspaper subscriber lists and mastheads. Intangible assets subject to amortization are being amortized using the straight-line method as follows:



	Years

Customer lists	15 - 23
Newspaper subscriber lists	12 - 33
Non-compete and consulting agreements	15

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill and other non-amortized intangible assets, we annually assess qualitative factors affecting our business to determine if the probability of a goodwill impairment is more likely than not. Our assessment includes reviewing internal and external factors affecting our business, such as cash flow projections, stock price and other industry or market considerations. This assessment is made on the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter of each year.

We analyze goodwill and other non-amortized intangible assets for impairment more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Such indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, changes in business climate and operating or cash flow losses related to such assets.

Should we determine that a goodwill impairment is more likely than not, we make a determination of the fair value of our business. Fair value is determined using a combination of an income approach and a market approach weighted equally.

Should we determine that a non-amortized intangible asset impairment is more likely than not, we make a determination of the individual asset's fair value. Fair value is determined using the relief from royalty method, which estimates fair value based upon appropriate royalties of future revenue discounted to their present value. The impairment amount, if any, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of such asset.

We review our amortizable intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. We assess recoverability of these assets by comparing the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset group with their carrying amount. The impairment amount, if any, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those asset groups.

The required valuation methodology and underlying financial information that are used to determine fair value require significant judgments to be made by us and represent a Level 3 fair value measurement. These judgments include, but are not limited to, long term projections of future financial performance and the selection of appropriate discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows. Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

We also periodically evaluate the useful lives of amortizable intangible assets. Any resulting changes in the useful lives of such intangible assets will not impact our cash flows. However, a decrease in the useful lives of such intangible assets would increase future amortization expense and decrease future reported operating results and earnings per common share.

Future decreases in our market value, or significant differences in revenue, expenses or cash flows from estimates used to determine fair value, could result in impairment charges in the future. See Note 3.

Non-controlling Interest

Non-controlling interest in earnings of TownNews.com is recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition

Advertising revenue is recorded when advertisements are placed in the publication or on the related digital platform. Subscription revenue is recorded over the print or digital subscription term or as newspapers are individually sold. Other revenue is recognized when the related product or service has been delivered. Unearned revenue arises in the ordinary course of business from advance subscription payments for print or digital products or advance payments for advertising.

Advertising Costs

A substantial amount of our advertising and promotion consists of advertising placed in our own publications and digital platforms, using available space. The incremental cost of such advertising is not significant and is not measured separately by us. External advertising costs are not significant and are expensed as incurred.

Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Benefit Plans

We evaluate our liabilities for pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit plans based upon computations made by consulting actuaries, incorporating estimates and actuarial assumptions of future plan service costs, future interest costs on projected benefit obligations, rates of compensation increases, when applicable, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates, expected investment returns on plan assets, asset allocation assumptions of plan assets and other factors. If we used different estimates and assumptions regarding these plans, the funded status of the plans could vary significantly, resulting in recognition of different amounts of expense over future periods.

We use a fiscal year end measurement date for all our pension and postretirement obligations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 715, Retirement Plans.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred income tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards and deferred income tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the difference between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our opinion, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We utilize FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to measure and report fair value. FASB ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy of fair value measurements based on whether the inputs to those measurements are observable or unobservable, which consists of the following levels:

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

Investments measured at net asset value, as a practical expedient for fair value, are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

Valuation methodologies used for pension and postretirement assets measured at fair value are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short term deposits valued based on quoted prices in active markets. Such investments are classified as Level 1.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities ("TIPS") consist of low yield mutual funds and are valued by quoted market prices. Such investments are classified as Level 1.

Equity securities are valued based on the closing market price in an active market and are classified as Level 1. Certain investments in commingled funds are valued at the net asset value of units held at the end of the period based upon the value of the underlying investments as determined by quoted market prices. Such investments are classified as Level 2.

Debt securities consist of corporate bonds and government securities that are valued based upon quoted market prices. Such investments are classified as Level 1. Certain investments in commingled funds are valued at the net asset value of units held at the end of the period based upon the value of the underlying investments as determined by quoted market prices. Such investments are classified as Level 2.

Hedge funds consist of a long/short equity fund and a diversified fund of funds. These funds are valued at the net asset value of units held at the end of the period based upon the value of the underlying investments, which is determined using multiple approaches including by quoted market prices and by private market quotations. Such investments are classified as Level 2 and Level 3.

Stock Compensation and Warrants

We have several active stock-based compensation plans. We account for grants under those plans under the fair value expense recognition provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. We determine the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula. Key inputs to this formula include expected term, expected volatility and the risk-free interest rate.

The expected term represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding, and is determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to contractual terms of the awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The volatility factor is calculated using historical market data for our Common Stock. The time frame used is equal to the expected term. We base the risk-free interest rate on the yield to maturity at the time of the stock option grant on zero-coupon U.S. government bonds having a remaining term equal to the option's expected term. When estimating forfeitures, we consider voluntary termination behavior as well as actual option forfeitures.

We amortize as compensation expense the value of stock options and restricted Common Stock using the straight-line method over the vesting or restriction period, which is generally one to three years.

We also have 6,000,000 warrants outstanding to purchase shares of our Common Stock. Warrants are recorded at fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula. See Notes 4, 8 and 11.

Uninsured Risks

Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Year

All of our enterprises use period accounting with the fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September.

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Costs

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

The components of newsprint inventory by cost method are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

First-in, first-out	1,064	786
Last-in, first-out	1,627	1,547
	2,691	2,333

Other inventories consisting of ink, plates and film are priced at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Investments

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounting Estimates

values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets



	Years

Customer lists	15 - 23
Newspaper subscriber lists	12 - 33
Non-compete and consulting agreements	15

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment



	Years

Buildings and improvements	5 - 54
Printing presses and insertion equipment	3 - 28
Other	3 - 17

We capitalize interest as a component of the cost of constructing major facilities. At September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015, capitalized interest was not significant.

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

The estimated useful lives are as follows:



	Years

Buildings and improvements	5 - 54
Printing presses and insertion equipment	3 - 28
Other	3 - 17

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

Investments measured at net asset value, as a practical expedient for fair value, are excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

Valuation methodologies used for pension and postretirement assets measured at fair value are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short term deposits valued based on quoted prices in active markets. Such investments are classified as Level 1.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities ("TIPS") consist of low yield mutual funds and are valued by quoted market prices. Such investments are classified as Level 1.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.

Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable and are classified as financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Benefit Plans

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

The components of newsprint inventory by cost method are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

First-in, first-out	1,064	786
Last-in, first-out	1,627	1,547
	2,691	2,333

Other inventories consisting of ink, plates and film are priced at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock Compensation and Warrants

Basis of Presentation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

The estimated useful lives are as follows:



	Years

Buildings and improvements	5 - 54
Printing presses and insertion equipment	3 - 28
Other	3 - 17

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

The components of newsprint inventory by cost method are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

First-in, first-out	1,064	786
Last-in, first-out	1,627	1,547
	2,691	2,333

Other inventories consisting of ink, plates and film are priced at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Intangible Asset Useful Life Table [Table Text Block]

Intangible assets subject to amortization are being amortized using the straight-line method as follows:



	Years

Customer lists	15 - 23
Newspaper subscriber lists	12 - 33
Non-compete and consulting agreements	15

Investments in Associated Companies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Equity Method Investee- TNI [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Equity Method Investments, Summarized Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

ASSETS

Current assets	5,107		5,761
Investments and other assets	12		33
Total assets	5,119		5,794

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities	6,484		4,787
Members' equity	(1,365	)	1,007
Total liabilities and members' equity	5,119		5,794

Equity Method Investments, Summarized Income Statement [Table Text Block]



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Operating revenue	52,761	55,926	57,892
Operating expenses	41,804	45,413	47,229
Operating income	10,957	10,513	10,663

Company's 50% share	5,478	5,256	5,331
Less amortization of intangible assets	418	418	418
Equity in earnings of TNI	5,060	4,838	4,913

Equity Method Investee- MNI [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Equity Method Investments, Summarized Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

Summarized financial information of MNI is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

ASSETS

Current assets	12,320	18,255
Investments and other assets	33,364	34,209
Total assets	45,684	52,464

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities	8,391	8,100
Other liabilities	9,500	9,235
Stockholders' equity	27,793	35,129
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	45,684	52,464

Equity Method Investments, Summarized Income Statement [Table Text Block]

Summarized results of MNI are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Operating revenue	65,172	67,264	67,478
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	52,646	54,795	55,393
Workforce adjustments	39	459	244
Depreciation and amortization	1,684	1,630	1,626
Operating income	10,803	10,380	10,215
Net income	6,947	6,832	6,768
Equity in earnings of MNI	3,473	3,416	3,384

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Goodwill [Line Items]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill related to continuing operations are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Goodwill, gross amount	1,532,458		1,532,458
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,288,729	)	(1,288,729	)
Goodwill, end of year	243,729		243,729

Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

Identified intangible assets related to continuing operations consist of the following:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Non-amortized intangible assets:
Mastheads	23,644	25,102
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer and newspaper subscriber lists	687,182	687,182
Less accumulated amortization	552,472	526,322
	134,710	160,860
Non-compete and consulting agreements	28,524	28,524
Less accumulated amortization	28,524	28,524
	—	—
	158,354	185,962

Asset Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]

A summary of the pretax impairment charges is included in the table below:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Continuing operations:
Non-amortized intangible assets	818	—	1,936
Property, equipment and other assets	1,367	—	1,044
	2,185	—	2,980

Debt Schedule Of Debt Payments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Schedule of Payments [Line Items]

Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow [Table Text Block]

Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow and the related payments on the 2^nd Lien Term Loan made in 2016 are as follows:



For the Period Ending (Thousands of Dollars)	Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow	Payment Date	Payment Amount (not rejected)

September 27, 2015	5,143	Q1 2016	3,326
December 27, 2015	2,864	Q2 2016	1,867
March 27, 2016	2,730	Q3 2016	525
June 26, 2016	1,583	Q4 2016	299

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Debt is summarized as follows:



			Interest Rates (%)
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015	September 25 2016

Revolving Facility	—	—	5.65
1^stLien Term Loan	101,304	180,872	7.25
Notes	385,000	400,000	9.50
2^ndLien Term Loan	130,863	145,000	12.00
	617,167	725,872
Less current maturities of long-term debt	25,070	25,000
Total long-term debt	592,097	700,872

1st Lien Agreement [Member]

Schedule of Payments [Line Items]

Schedule Of Debt Payments [Table Text Block]



(Thousands of Dollars)	December 27 2015	March 27 2016	June 26 2016	September 25 2016	2016

Mandatory	6,250	6,250	6,250	6,250	25,000
Voluntary	5,000	27,000	3,000	6,000	41,000
Excess cash flow	—	1,135	6,441	5,992	13,568
	11,250	34,385	15,691	18,242	79,568

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

Debt Debt Call Provisions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Debt is summarized as follows:



			Interest Rates (%)
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015	September 25 2016

Revolving Facility	—	—	5.65
1^stLien Term Loan	101,304	180,872	7.25
Notes	385,000	400,000	9.50
2^ndLien Term Loan	130,863	145,000	12.00
	617,167	725,872
Less current maturities of long-term debt	25,070	25,000
Total long-term debt	592,097	700,872

Senior Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Prepayment Premium [Table Text Block]

We may redeem some, or all, of the principal amount of the Notes at any time on or after March 15, 2018 as follows:



Period Beginning	Percentage of Principal Amount

March 15, 2018	104.75
March 15, 2019	102.38
March 15, 2020	100.00

New Second Lien Loan [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Prepayment Premium [Table Text Block]

Voluntary payments under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan are subject to call premiums as follows:



Period Beginning	Percentage of Principal Amount

March 31, 2014	112
March 31, 2017	106
March 31, 2018	103
March 31, 2019	100

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Pensions (Tables) - Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

We anticipate future benefit payments to be paid from the pension trust as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)

2017	11,803
2018	11,735
2019	11,757
2020	11,728
2021	11,735
2022-2026	58,487

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The weighted-average asset allocation of our pension assets is as follows:



(Percent)	Policy Allocation	Actual Allocation
Asset Class	September 25 2016	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Equity securities	50	50	46
Debt securities	35	33	37
TIPS	5	4	4
Hedge fund investments	10	11	11
Cash and cash equivalents	—	2	2

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations are as follows:



(Percent)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Discount rate	3.5	4.2

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



(Percent)	2016	2015	2014

Discount rate	4.2	4.2	4.7
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.3	6.8	7.0

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The net periodic cost (benefit) components of our pension plans are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015		2014

Service cost for benefits earned during the year	197		232		156
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	6,061		8,122		7,996
Expected return on plan assets	(8,698	)	(9,863	)	(9,932	)
Amortization of net loss	2,397		1,682		423
Amortization of prior service benefit	(136	)	(136	)	(136	)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	(179	)	37		(1,493	)

Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Benefit obligation, beginning of year	193,751		199,197
Service cost	197		232
Interest cost	6,061		8,122
Actuarial loss (gain)	13,630		(2,543	)
Benefits paid	(11,481	)	(11,257	)
Benefit obligation, end of year	202,158		193,751
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:	143,288		151,013
Actual return on plan assets	14,819		1,817
Benefits paid	(11,481	)	(11,257	)
Administrative expenses paid	(2,099	)	(1,862	)
Employer contributions	4,604		3,577
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	149,131		143,288
Funded status - benefit obligation in excess of plan assets	53,027		50,463

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

Disaggregated amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

Pension obligations	53,027		50,463
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before income taxes)	(54,862	)	(47,515	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

Unrecognized net actuarial loss	(55,241	)	(48,031	)
Unrecognized prior service benefit	379		516
	(54,862	)	(47,515	)

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The fair value hierarchy of pension assets at September 25, 2016 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	2,757	—
Domestic equity securities	—	9,669	49,809
International equity securities	—	6,773	7,755
TIPS	—	6,883	—
Debt securities	14,558	25,612	9,648
Hedge fund investments	17,531	—	—

The fair value hierarchy of pension assets at September 27, 2015 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	2,407	—
Domestic equity securities	—	8,153	44,470
International equity securities	—	6,286	7,389
TIPS	—	6,450	—
Debt securities	17,246	31,196	4,124
Hedge fund investments	17,344	—	—

Postretirement Obligations (Tables) - Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The net periodic postretirement benefit cost (benefit) components for our postretirement plans are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015		2014

Service cost for benefits earned during the year	63		76		596
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	623		922		911
Expected return on plan assets	(1,322	)	(1,445	)	(1,483	)
Amortization of net actuarial gain	(1,093	)	(1,386	)	(1,819	)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(1,459	)	(1,459	)	(1,459	)
Net periodic postretirement benefit	(3,188	)	(3,292	)	(3,254	)

Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Benefit obligation, beginning of year	23,812		25,506
Service cost	63		76
Interest cost	623		922
Actuarial loss (gain)	(773	)	(1,149	)
Benefits paid, net of premiums received	(1,434	)	(1,541	)
Medicare Part D subsidies	220		(2	)
Benefit obligation, end of year	22,511		23,812
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	30,123		32,881
Actual return on plan assets	1,085		(547	)
Employer contributions	563		745
Benefits paid, net of premiums and Medicare Part D subsidies received	(1,213	)	(1,544	)
Benefits paid for active employees	(1,510	)	(1,412	)
Allocation to active medical plans	(4,925	)	—
Fair value of plan assets at measurement date	24,123		30,123
Funded status - benefit obligation less than plan assets	(1,612	)	(6,311	)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

Disaggregated amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Non-current assets	9,138	13,420
Postretirement benefit obligations	7,527	7,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before income tax benefit)	19,026	22,551

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Unrecognized net actuarial gain	11,089	13,155
Unrecognized prior service benefit	7,937	9,396
	19,026	22,551

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



(Percent)	2016	2015	2014

Discount rate	3.7	3.7	4.0
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5	4.5

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine post retirement benefit obligations are as follows:



(Percent)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Discount rate	3.1	3.7
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5

Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]

Assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:



(Percent)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Health care cost trend rates	9.0	9.0
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the “Ultimate Trend Rate”)	4.5	4.5
Year in which the rate reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate	2025	2025

Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]

A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following annualized effects on reported amounts for 2016:



	One Percentage Point
(Thousands of Dollars)	Increase	Decrease

Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit	20	(18	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	697	(629	)

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The weighted-average asset allocation of our postretirement assets is as follows:



(Percent)	Policy Allocation	Actual Allocation
Asset Class	September 25 2016	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Equity securities	20	22	19
Debt securities	70	65	68
Hedge fund investment	10	11	10
Cash and cash equivalents	—	2	3

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

The fair value hierarchy of postretirement assets at September 25, 2016 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	518	—
Domestic equity securities	—	3,342	1,572
International equity securities	—	695	898
Debt securities	—	18,840	—
Hedge fund investment	3,182	—	—

The fair value hierarchy of postretirement assets at September 27, 2015 is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2

Cash and cash equivalents	—	790	—
Domestic equity securities	—	2,896	1,372
International equity securities	—	645	857
Debt securities	—	13,910	6,581
Hedge fund investment	3,072	—	—

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

We anticipate future benefit payments to be paid either with future contributions to the plan or directly from plan assets, as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	Gross Payments	Less Medicare Part D Subsidy		Net Payments

2017	3,600	(200	)	3,400
2018	1,870	(210	)	1,660
2019	1,910	(210	)	1,700
2020	1,880	(210	)	1,670
2021	1,790	(200	)	1,590
2022-2026	7,910	(870	)	7,040

Other Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Schedule of Multiemployer Plans [Table Text Block]

these plans is outlined in the table below:



(Thousands of Dollars)	Zone Status September 30		Funding Improvement Plan/Rehabilitation Plan Status	Contributions
Pension Plan	2016	2015	Status	2016	2015	2014	Surcharge Imposed	Expiration Dates of CBAs

GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund 91-6024903/001	Red	Red	Implemented	138	145	265	No	1/13/2017
GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund 91-6024903/001								8/31/2017
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan 13-6212879/001	Red	Red	Implemented	108	122	133	No	5/12/2017
								12/31/2017
								4/1/2017
								8/31/2017
District No. 9, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Pension Trust 43-0736847/001	Green	Green	N/A	31	34	37	N/A	2/28/2017

Stock Ownership Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Stock Options [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:



(Thousands of Shares)	2016		2015		2014

Under option, beginning of year	1,871		2,333		2,769
Granted	—		—		15
Exercised	(74	)	(289	)	(342	)
Canceled	(99	)	(173	)	(109	)
Under option, end of year	1,698		1,871		2,333
Exercisable, end of year	1,692		1,840		1,786

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block]

Weighted average prices of stock options are as follows:



(Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Granted	—	—	2.99
Exercised	1.17	1.27	2.01
Cancelled	8.78	5.02	10.98
Under option, end of year	2.42	2.71	2.70

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of option awards:



					2014

Volatility (Percent)					91
Risk-free interest rate (Percent)					1.24
Expected term (Years)					4.5
Estimated fair value (Dollars)					2.02

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]

A summary of stock options outstanding at September 25, 2016 is as follows:



(Dollars)	Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding (Thousands)	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price	Number Exercisable (Thousands)	Weighted Average Exercise Price

1 - 5	1,659	4.5	1.80	1,653	1.80
25 - 50	39	0.1	28.72	39	28.72
	1,698	4.4	2.42	1,692	2.42

Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

A summary of restricted Common Stock activity follows:



(Thousands of Shares)	2016		2015		2014

Outstanding, beginning of year	1,546		1,291		500
Granted	1,018		786		817
Vested	(63	)	(500	)	—
Forfeited	(39	)	(31	)	(26	)
Outstanding, end of year	2,462		1,546		1,291

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block]

Weighted average grant date fair values of restricted Common Stock are as follows:



(Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Outstanding, beginning of year	3.62	2.72	1.31
Granted	1.49	3.62	3.61
Vested	3.39	1.31	—
Forfeited	3.31	3.62	3.61
Outstanding, end of year	2.74	3.62	2.72

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

Income tax expense consists of the following:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015		2014

Current:
Federal	1,241	720		451
State	379	(92	)	(571	)
Deferred	20,556	12,966		6,410
	22,176	13,594		6,290

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The reasons for these differences are as follows:



(Percent of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes)	2016		2015		2014

Computed “expected” income tax expense (benefit)	35.0		35.0		35.0
State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal tax impact	3.8		(7.1	)	11.0
Net income of associated companies taxed at dividend rates	(2.6	)	(5.2	)	(9.3	)
Resolution of tax matters	3.2		0.5		3.6
Non-deductible expenses	1.0		2.8		7.9
Valuation allowance	(7.7	)	15.9		(4.5	)
Warrant valuation	5.0		(6.1	)	(15.1	)
CODI tax attribute reduction	—		—		18.3
Other	0.4		0.1		(1.8	)
	38.1		35.9		45.1

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Net deferred income tax liabilities consist of the following components:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016		September 27 2015

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(33,549	)	(35,593	)
Identified intangible assets	(43,745	)	(51,380	)
Long-term debt	(16,158	)	(15,176	)
	(93,452	)	(102,149	)
Deferred income tax assets:
Investments	12,138		17,521
Accrued compensation	6,391		4,551
Allowance for doubtful accounts and losses on loans	1,273		1,184
Pension and postretirement benefits	6,505		5,719
Net operating loss carryforwards	52,604		81,228
Accrued expenses	577		572
Other	3,634		1,720
	83,122		112,495
Valuation allowance	(27,978	)	(32,483	)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	(38,308	)	(22,137	)

Deferred Tax Asset/Liability Classification [Table Text Block]

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of 2016 and 2015 changes in gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015

Balance, beginning of year	11,799		13,520
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years	46		(1,861	)
Increases in tax positions for the current year	1,600		1,098
Lapse in statute of limitations	(914	)	(958	)
Balance, end of year	12,531		11,799

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Warrants:



	2016	2015	2014

Volatility (Percent)	63	61	55
Risk-free interest rate (Percent)	1.25	1.75	2.34
Expected term (Years)	5.5	6.5	7.5
Estimated fair value (Dollars)	1.96	0.71	1.80

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References + Details

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:



(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except Per Common Share Data)	2016		2015		2014

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	34,961		23,316		6,795

Weighted average Common Stock	55,493		54,430		53,438
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock	(2,295	)	(1,790	)	(1,165	)
Basic average Common Stock	53,198		52,640		52,273
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock	1,026		1,291		1,463
Diluted average Common Stock	54,224		53,931		53,736
Earnings per common share:
Basic:	0.66		0.44		0.13
Diluted	0.64		0.43		0.13

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

Valuation and qualifying account information related to the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable related to continuing operations is as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016		2015		2014

Balance, beginning of year	4,194		4,526		4,501
Additions charged to expense	1,195		1,307		1,754
Deductions from reserves	(1,062	)	(1,639	)	(1,729	)
Balance, end of year	4,327		4,194		4,526

Other Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Compensation and other accrued liabilities consist of the following:



(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015

Compensation	12,290	12,454
Retirement plans	4,135	3,459
Other	7,459	11,142
	23,884	27,055

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]

Cash payments are as follows:



(Thousands of Dollars)	2016	2015	2014

Interest	65,410	72,937	81,363
Debt financing and reorganization costs	422	733	31,587
Income tax payments (refunds), net	269	485	(6,022	)

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]



	Quarter Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Common Share Data)	December	March	June	September

2016

Operating revenue	168,405	146,835	150,946	148,178

Net income	11,508	19,483	4,367	661

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	11,237	19,228	4,092	404

Earnings per common share:
Basic	0.21	0.36	0.08	0.01
Diluted	0.21	0.36	0.08	0.01

2015

Operating revenue	177,210	156,557	158,677	156,099

Net income	10,007	2,042	2,135	10,134

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	9,753	1,800	1,882	9,881

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	0.19	0.03	0.04	0.18
Diluted	0.18	0.03	0.03	0.18

Debt Schedule of Debt Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2016

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Debt is summarized as follows:



			Interest Rates (%)
(Thousands of Dollars)	September 25 2016	September 27 2015	September 25 2016

Revolving Facility	—	—	5.65
1^stLien Term Loan	101,304	180,872	7.25
Notes	385,000	400,000	9.50
2^ndLien Term Loan	130,863	145,000	12.00
	617,167	725,872
Less current maturities of long-term debt	25,070	25,000
Total long-term debt	592,097	700,872

Senior Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Prepayment Premium [Table Text Block]

We may redeem some, or all, of the principal amount of the Notes at any time on or after March 15, 2018 as follows:



Period Beginning	Percentage of Principal Amount

March 15, 2018	104.75
March 15, 2019	102.38
March 15, 2020	100.00

New Second Lien Loan [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Prepayment Premium [Table Text Block]

Voluntary payments under the 2^nd Lien Term Loan are subject to call premiums as follows:



Period Beginning	Percentage of Principal Amount

March 31, 2014	112
March 31, 2017	106
March 31, 2018	103
March 31, 2019	100

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,000,000
Inventory, LIFO Reserve	$ 1,900,000	$ 1,780,000
FIFO Inventory Amount	1,064,000	786,000
LIFO Inventory Amount	1,627,000	1,547,000
Newsprint Inventory	$ 2,691,000	$ 2,333,000
Buildings and improvements low-end	5 years
Buildings and improvements high-end	54 years
Printing presses and insertion equipment low-end	3 years
Printing presses and insertion equipment high-end	28 years
Other low-end	3 years
Other high-end	17 years
Customer Lists [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Intangible Assets Useful Life - Minimum	15 years
Intangible Assets Useful Life - Maximum	23 years
Subscriber Lists [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Intangible Assets Useful Life - Minimum	11 years
Intangible Assets Useful Life - Maximum	33 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years

Basis of Presentation Schedule of Less than 100% Subsidiaries (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016
Equity Method Investee- TNI [Member]
Schedule Of Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	50.00%
Equity Method Investee- MNI [Member]
Schedule Of Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	50.00%
INN Partners [Member]
Schedule Of Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	83.00%

Investments in Associated Companies Summarized Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in earnings of associated companies	$ 8,533,000	$ 8,254,000	$ 8,297,000
Associated companies	29,716,000	35,069,000
Equity Method Investee- TNI [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	6,636,000	5,475,000	5,246,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Accounts Receivable, Net	5,107,000	5,761,000
Share of TNI Operating Expenses	149,000	(254,000)	(60,000)
Editorial Fees	5,599,000	5,492,000	5,908,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	52,761,000	55,926,000	57,892,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Cost of Sales	41,804,000	45,413,000	47,229,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Operating Income	10,957,000	10,513,000	10,663,000
Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments Before Amortization	5,478,000	5,256,000	5,331,000
Amortization Of Intangible Assets- TNI	418,000	418,000	418,000
Equity in earnings of associated companies	5,060,000	4,838,000	4,913,000
Associated companies	15,933,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	418,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Two	418,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	418,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	280,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	12,000	33,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets	5,119,000	5,794,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities	6,484,000	4,787,000
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	(1,365,000)	1,007,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity	5,119,000	5,794,000
Equity Method Investee- MNI [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	7,250,000	5,500,000	4,750,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	12,320,000	18,255,000
Editorial Fees	7,099,000	7,242,000	7,050,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Depreciation And Amortization			1,626,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Cost of Sales	52,646,000	54,795,000	55,393,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Operating Income	10,803,000	10,380,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	6,947,000	6,832,000
Equity in earnings of associated companies			$ 3,384,000
Associated companies	13,896,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	33,364,000	34,209,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets	45,684,000	52,464,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	8,391,000	8,100,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities	9,500,000	9,235,000
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	27,793,000	35,129,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity	$ 45,684,000	52,464,000
Equity Method Investee- MNI [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 100% Owned Subsidiaries, Percentage Owned	50.00%
Goodwill [Member] \| Equity Method Investee- TNI [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity	$ 12,366,000,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Member] \| Equity Method Investee- TNI [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity		$ 4,554,000

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	$ 1,532,458	$ 1,532,458
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$ (1,288,729)	$ (1,288,729)

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Mastheads	$ 23,644,000	$ 25,102,000
Other intangible assets, net	158,354,000	185,962,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	25,030,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Two	16,653,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	15,972,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	15,206,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	14,042,000
Customer Lists [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	687,182,000	687,182,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	552,472,000	526,322,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	134,710,000	160,860,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	28,524,000	28,524,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	28,524,000	28,524,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and other Intangible Assets Schedule of Asset Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Asset Impairment Charges [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible and other assets	$ 2,185	$ 0	$ 2,980
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Impairment Losses	818	0	1,936
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	$ 1,367	$ 0	$ 1,044

Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Jun. 26, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 26,271,000					$ 26,271,000
Payments of Financing Costs						$ 422,000	$ 733,000	$ 31,587,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	9.70%					9.70%
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 617,167,000				$ 725,872,000	$ 617,167,000	725,872,000
Debt Financing and Reorganization Costs Paid						422,000	733,000	31,587,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year	25,070,000					25,070,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	25,000,000					25,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	51,234,000					51,234,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	0					0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	0					0
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	25,070,000				25,000,000	25,070,000	25,000,000
Long-term Debt	592,097,000				700,872,000	592,097,000	700,872,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	515,863,000					515,863,000
Liquidity	$ 50,302,000					50,302,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt						$ 112,455,000	83,878,000	847,750,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,000,000					6,000,000
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price						$ 4.19
Warrant liability fair value	$ 11,760,000				4,240,000	$ 11,760,000	4,240,000	10,808,000		$ 16,930,000
Amortization of Financing Costs					4,693,000	5,541,000		$ 2,145,000
Future Liquidity- Warrant Exercise Proceeds						25,140,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 400,000,000					$ 400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	9.50%					9.50%
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 385,000,000				400,000,000	$ 385,000,000	400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	9.50%					9.50%
Repayments of Long-term Debt						$ 15,000,000
New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 250,000,000					250,000,000
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 101,304,000				180,872,000	$ 101,304,000	180,872,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.25%					7.25%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount									$ 5,000,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$ 18,242,000	$ 15,691,000	$ 34,385,000	$ 11,250,000		$ 79,568,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	40,000,000					40,000,000
New Second Lien Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 150,000,000					$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	12.00%					12.00%
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 130,863,000				145,000,000	$ 130,863,000	145,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	12.00%					12.00%
Common Stock Issued In Refinancing, Percent of Total On A Pro Forma Basis	10.00%					10.00%
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,000,000					6,000,000
Revolving Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 0				$ 0	$ 0	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.65%					5.65%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 33,318,000					$ 33,318,000
2nd Lien Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued In Refinancing, Percent of Total On A Pro Forma Basis	13.00%					13.00%
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,743,640					6,743,640
Federal Funds Rate [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base Interest Rate	0.50%					0.50%
Interest Rate Margin	5.25%					5.25%
Federal Funds Rate [Member] \| Revolving Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate Margin	4.50%					4.50%
Prime Lending Rate [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base Interest Rate	2.00%					2.00%
30 Day LIBOR [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base Interest Rate	1.00%					1.00%
Interest Rate Margin	6.25%					6.25%
30 Day LIBOR [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Base Interest Rate	0.50%					0.50%
30 Day LIBOR [Member] \| Revolving Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate Margin	5.50%					5.50%
Until March 31, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						112.00%
March 16, 2018 through March 15, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						104.75%
Prior to March 15, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						109.50%
March 15, 2019 through March 14, 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						102.38%
After March 15, 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						100.00%
March 31, 2017 through March 31, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						0.00%
March 31, 2018 through March 31, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						103.00%
After March 31, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed						0.00%
Mandatory Payment [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$ 6,250,000	$ 6,250,000	$ 6,250,000	$ 6,250,000		$ 25,000,000
Mandatory Payment [Member] \| 1st Lien Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal	6,250,000
Payment Due To Asset Sale [Member] \| 2nd Lien Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$ 8,119,000						$ 5,000,000

Debt Schedule of Payments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
Debt Schedule of Payments (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Jun. 26, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	$ 0					$ 0
Repayments of Long-term Debt						112,455,000	$ 83,878,000	$ 847,750,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt						(1,250,000)	0	0
Amortization of Financing Costs					$ 4,693,000	5,541,000		$ 2,145,000
New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	18,242,000	$ 15,691,000	$ 34,385,000	$ 11,250,000		79,568,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt						15,000,000
Mandatory Payment [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	6,250,000	6,250,000	6,250,000	6,250,000		25,000,000
Voluntary Payment [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	6,000,000	3,000,000	27,000,000	5,000,000		41,000,000
Payment Due To Asset Sale [Member] \| 2nd Lien Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	8,119,000						$ 5,000,000
Excess Cash Flow Sweep [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt	5,992,000	6,441,000	1,135,000	0		$ 13,568,000
Excess Cash Flow Sweep [Member] \| 2nd Lien Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow	15.83	27.30	28.64	51.43
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$ 299	$ 525,000	$ 1,867,000	$ 3,326,000
Insurance Settlement [Member] \| New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Line Items]
Schedule Of Debt Payments [Table Text Block]						20000000

Debt Schedule Of Financing Fees (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt Schedule Of Financing Fees (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Schedule Of Financing Fees [Line Items]
Amortization of Financing Costs	$ 4,693,000	$ 5,541,000		$ 2,145,000
Debt Financing and Reorganization Costs Paid		422,000	$ 733,000	31,587,000
Payments of Financing Costs		422,000	733,000	31,587,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		26,271,000
Amortization Of Present Value Discount- Current Fiscal Year		4,176,000
Amortization Of Present Value Discount- Next Fiscal Year		4,245,000
Amortization Of Present Value Discount- Year 3		4,044,000
Amortization Of Present Value Discount- Year 4		4,040,000
Amortization Of Present Value Discount- Year 5		4,217,000
Warrant liability fair value	$ 4,240,000	11,760,000	4,240,000	10,808,000		$ 16,930,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt		$ (1,250,000)	$ 0	$ 0
New 1st Lien Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Financing Fees [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount					$ 5,000,000

Pensions (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Pensions (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2017	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		$ 12,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate		4.00%	4.00%	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate		4.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 2,947,000	$ (55,241,000)	$ (48,031,000)
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent		53,027,000	50,463,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		202,158,000	193,751,000	$ 199,197,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation			193,751,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost		197,000	232,000	156,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		6,061,000	8,122,000	7,996,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)		13,630,000	(2,543,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(11,481,000)	(11,257,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Administration Expenses		(2,099,000)	(1,862,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer		4,604,000	3,577,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets		(8,698,000)	(9,863,000)	(9,932,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)		(2,397,000)	1,682,000	423,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)		(136,000)	(136,000)	(136,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost		(179,000)	37,000	(1,493,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		149,131,000	143,288,000	$ 151,013,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets		14,819,000	1,817,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		53,027,000	50,463,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(54,862,000)	(47,515,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost, before Tax	$ (137,000)	379,000	516,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax		$ (54,862,000)	$ (47,515,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets		6.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		$ 12,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		12,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		12,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		12,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		$ 58,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		50.00%	46.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		5000.00%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 14,557,858	$ 17,246,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		33.00%	37.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		3500.00%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 25,611,947	$ 31,196,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		9,647,704	4,124,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 0	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		4.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		500.00%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 6,882,655	$ 6,450,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 17,530,708	$ 17,344,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		11.00%	11.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		1000.00%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 0	$ 0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 0	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		2.00%	2.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 2,757,205	$ 2,407,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	$ 0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		$ 3,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate		4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate		3.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gain (Loss), before Tax		$ 11,089,000	$ 13,155,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent		7,527,000	7,109,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		22,511,000	23,812,000	$ 25,506,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost		63,000	76,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		623,000	922,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)		(773,000)	(1,149,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(1,434,000)	(1,541,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer		563,000	745,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets		(1,322,000)	(1,445,000)	(1,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)		1,093,000	(1,386,000)	(2,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)		(1,459,000)	(1,459,000)	(1,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost		(3,188,000)	(3,292,000)	(3,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		24,123,000	30,123,000	$ 32,881,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets		1,085,000	(547,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		(1,612,000)	(6,311,000)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		19,026,000	22,551,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost, before Tax		7,937,000	9,396,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax		$ 19,026,000	$ 22,551,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		$ 1,870,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		1,910,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		1,880,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		1,790,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		$ 7,910,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		2000.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 0	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		100.00%	100.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		7000.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 18,839,723	$ 13,910,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	6,581,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 3,182,158	$ 3,072,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		1000.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 0	$ 0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 0	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 518,390	$ 790,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Other Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		2,232,000	2,337,000
Funded Status of Other Plans Recognized In Other Liabilities		113,000	278,000
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0	0
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		9,669,029	8,153,000
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		49,808,722	44,470,000
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0	0
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		3,341,719	2,896,000
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		1,572,216	1,372,000
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0	0
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,773,276	6,286,000
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		7,754,656	7,389,000
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0	0
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		695,163	645,000
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 898,457	$ 857,000

Pension, Postretirement, and Postemployement Obligations (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	$ 7,527,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	149,131,000	$ 143,288,000	$ 151,013,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	197,000	232,000	156,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	6,061,000	8,122,000	7,996,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(8,698,000)	(9,863,000)	(9,932,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)	(2,397,000)	1,682,000	423,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)	136,000	136,000	136,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	(179,000)	37,000	(1,493,000)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	24,123,000	30,123,000	32,881,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets Transferred to (from) Plan	4,925,000	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	63,000	76,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	623,000	922,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(1,322,000)	(1,445,000)	(1,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)	1,093,000	(1,386,000)	(2,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)	1,459,000	1,459,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	(3,188,000)	(3,292,000)	$ (3,000)
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	14,557,858	17,246,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Hedge Funds [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	17,530,708	17,344,000
Hedge Funds [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,182,158	3,072,000
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Domestic Equity Securities [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
International Equity Securities [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

Postretirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Postretirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Actuarial Gains/Losses, Amortization Next Twelve Months	$ 1,016,000
Postretirement assets, net	14,063,000	$ 13,421,000
Prior Service Cost, Amortization Next Twelve Months	1,459,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	3,600,000
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Next Twelve Months	(200,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments Net of Subsidy, Next Twelve Months	3,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components	$ 20,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Fiscal Year	9.00%	9.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	3.00%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 11,089,000	$ 13,155,000
Postretirement assets, net	9,138,000	13,420,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	7,527,000	7,109,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	22,511,000	23,812,000	$ 25,506,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	63,000	76,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	623,000	922,000	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(1,322,000)	(1,445,000)	(1,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)	(1,093,000)	1,386,000	2,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)	(1,459,000)	(1,459,000)	(1,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	(3,188,000)	(3,292,000)	(3,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	(773,000)	(1,149,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	(1,434,000)	(1,541,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid For Non-Participants	(1,510,000)	(1,412,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets Transferred to (from) Plan	(4,925,000)	0
Prescription Drug Benefit, Effect of Subsidy on Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost	220,000	(2,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	24,123,000	30,123,000	$ 32,881,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	1,085,000	(547,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	563,000	745,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid Net Of Subsidy	(1,213,000)	(1,544,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	(1,612,000)	(6,311,000)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	19,026,000	22,551,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost, before Tax	7,937,000	9,396,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	$ 19,026,000	$ 22,551,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	4.50%	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate	4.50%	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	2025	2025
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components	$ (18,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	697,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	(629,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	1,870,000
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Two	(210,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments Net of Subsidy, Year 2	1,660,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	1,910,000
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Three	(210,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments Net of Subsidy, Year 3	1,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	1,880,000
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Four	(210,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments Net of Subsidy, Year 4	1,670,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	1,790,000
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Five	(200,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments Net of Subsidy, Year 5	1,590,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	7,910,000
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, after Year Five	(870,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments Net of Subsidy, After Year 5	$ 7,040,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations	2000.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	0.00%	0.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations	7000.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations	0.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	0.00%	0.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] \| Hedge Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations	1000.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	0.00%	0.00%
LTD Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	$ 3,190,000	$ 3,951,000

Other Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Other Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Other Retirement Plans [Line Items]
Pension Contributions	$ 4,604,000	$ 3,577,000	$ 1,435,000
Cost Related to Other Retirement Plans	4,616,000	4,125,000	3,963,000
GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund [Member] \| Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]
Other Retirement Plans [Line Items]
Pension Contributions	138,000	145,000	265,000
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan [Member] \| Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]
Other Retirement Plans [Line Items]
Pension Contributions	108,000	122,000	133,000
District No. 9 Pension Trust [Member] \| Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]
Other Retirement Plans [Line Items]
Pension Contributions	$ 31,000	$ 34,000	$ 37,000

Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Common Stock, Effect of Plan of Reorganization [Line Items]
Warrant liability fair value	$ 11,760,000	$ 4,240,000	$ 10,808,000	$ 16,930,000
Sunset Level Provisions	5,600,000
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price	$ 4.19
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,000,000
Before January 30, 2012 Refinancing [Member]
Common Stock, Effect of Plan of Reorganization [Line Items]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 2.00
After January 30, 2012 Refinancing [Member]
Common Stock, Effect of Plan of Reorganization [Line Items]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01
2nd Lien Agreement [Member]
Common Stock, Effect of Plan of Reorganization [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued In Refinancing, Percent of Total On A Pro Forma Basis	13.00%
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,743,640
New Second Lien Loan [Member]
Common Stock, Effect of Plan of Reorganization [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued In Refinancing, Percent of Total On A Pro Forma Basis	10.00%
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	6,000,000

Common Stock and Class B Common Stock Preferred Share Purchase Rights (Details)	Sep. 25, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Preferred Share Purchase Rights- Exercise Price \| $	$ 150
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share \| $ / shares	$ 0.001
2008 And After [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Beneficial OwnershipThreshold	25.00%
Beneficial Ownership Threshold	15.00%
Beneficial Ownership Percentage- Upper Limit	50.00%
Prior To 2008 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Beneficial OwnershipThreshold	20.00%

Stock Ownership Plans (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Stock Ownership Plans (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock compensation expense		$ 2,306,000	$ 1,971,000	$ 1,481,000
Restricted Shares Issued, Subsequent Event	832,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	4,460,214	4,460,214
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	2,762,549	2,762,549
Fair Value Per Share- Restricted Stock Award- Subsequent Event	$ 3.35
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 1.49	$ 3.62	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Other Share Increase (Decrease) in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period		(39,000)	(31,000)	(26,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	2,462,000	2,462,000	1,546,000	1,291,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number		1,546,000	1,291,000	500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		1,018,000	786,000	817,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		63,000	(500,000)	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 3.62	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.74	$ 2.74	3.62	0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$ 2,260,000	$ 2,260,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 year 4 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 3.31	0	0
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate				9100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period		(99,000)	(173,000)	(109,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,698,000	1,698,000	1,871,000	2,333,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number		1,871,000	2,333,000	2,769,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		0	0	15,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		74,000	(289,000)	(342,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	1,692,000	1,692,000	1,840,000	1,786,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 2.71	$ 2.70
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		8.78	5.02	$ 10.98
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.42	2.42	2.71	$ 2.70
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.42	$ 2.42
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 3,227,000	$ 3,227,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 month 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate				124.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 2.02
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 1.17	$ 1.27	$ 2.01
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP	270,000	270,000
Supplemental Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP	8,700	8,700
Exercise Price Range 1-5 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	1,658,665	1,658,665
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	1,653,000	1,653,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 1.80	$ 1.80
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 1.80	$ 1.80
Exercise Price Range- 25-50 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	39,000	39,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	39,000	39,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.72	$ 28.72
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.72	$ 28.72

Stock Ownership Plans Stock Option Valuation Assumption (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 28, 2014
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 month 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate		9100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		124.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 2.02
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 4 months 24 days
Exercise Price Range 1-5 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$ 1
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$ 5
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months
Exercise Price Range- 25-50 [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$ 25
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$ 50
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	1 month 6 days

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 8,213,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	12,531,000	$ 11,799,000	$ 13,520,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	46,000	(1,861,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	1,600,000	1,098,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	(914,000)	(958,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	33,549,000	35,593,000
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 1,241,000	$ 720,000	$ 451,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes	4.00%	(7.00%)	11.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Subsidiary	(3.00%)	(5.00%)	(9.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Settlements	3.00%	1.00%	4.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Other, Percent	1.00%	3.00%	8.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	(8.00%)	16.00%	(5.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Exempt Income, Percent	5.00%	6.10%	15.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deductions, Other	0.00%	0.00%	18.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	0.00%	0.00%	(2.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	38.00%	36.00%	45.00%
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 379,000	$ (92,000)	$ (571,000)
Deferred Tax Expense, Continuing and Discontinued Operations	20,556,000	12,966,000	6,410,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Including Continuing and Discontinued Operations	22,176,000	13,594,000	6,290,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	22,176,000	13,594,000	6,290,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	43,745,000	51,380,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	16,158,000	15,176,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	93,452,000	102,149,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation	6,391,000	4,551,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	1,273,000	1,184,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Postretirement Benefits	6,505,000	5,719,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local	52,604,000	81,228,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Other	577,000	572,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Investments	12,138,000	17,521,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	3,634,000	1,720,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	83,122,000	112,495,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	(27,978,000)	(32,483,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(38,308,000)	(22,137,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	317,000	330,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	57,392,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	37,305,000
Federal Net Operating Loss	$ 58,618,000	$ 136,630,000	$ 165,489,000

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Investments	$ 6,359,000
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges	1,367,000	$ 0	$ 1,044,000
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	617,167,000	725,872,000
Warrant liability fair value	11,760,000	4,240,000	$ 10,808,000	$ 16,930,000
Fair Value, Option, Changes in Fair Value, Gain (Loss)	$ 7,520,000	$ 6,568,000
Warrant [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	6300.00%	6100.00%	5500.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	125.00%	175.00%	234.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 1.96	$ 0.71	$ 1.80
2nd Lien Agreement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 136,833,000
1st Lien Agreement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	101,240,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	399,437,000
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	385,000,000	$ 400,000,000
New Second Lien Loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 130,863,000	$ 145,000,000

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Not Practicable (Details)	Sep. 25, 2016 USD ($)
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Investments	$ 6,359,000

Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Jun. 26, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 404,000	$ 4,092,000	$ 19,228,000	$ 11,237,000	$ 9,881,000	$ 1,882,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 9,753,000	$ 34,961,000	$ 23,316,000	$ 6,795,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares									55,493,000	54,430,000	53,438,000
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock									(2,295,000)	(1,790,000)	(1,165,000)
Basic average common shares									53,198,000	52,640,000	52,273,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment									1,026,000	1,291,000	1,463,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted									54,224,000	53,931,000	53,736,000
Basic	$ 0.01	$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 0.21	$ 0.18	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.19	$ 0.66	$ 0.44	$ 0.13
Diluted	$ 0.01	$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 0.21	$ 0.18	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.18	$ 0.64	$ 0.43	$ 0.13
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									7,577,000	6,620,000	3,121,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share									$ 0.64	$ 0.43	$ 0.13

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 4,194	$ 4,526	$ 4,501
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	1,195	1,307	1,754
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Recoveries	(1,062)	(1,639)	(1,729)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 4,327	$ 4,194	$ 4,526

Other Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Salaries, Current	$ 12,290	$ 12,454
Accrued Employee Benefits, Current	4,135	3,459
Other Liabilities	7,459	11,142
Compensation and other accrued liabilities	$ 23,884	$ 27,055

Other Information Supplemental Cash Payment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest Paid	$ 65,410	$ 72,937	$ 81,363
Debt Financing and Reorganization Costs Paid	422	733	31,587
Income Taxes Paid, Net	$ 269	$ 485	$ (6,022)

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 3,792,000	$ 3,415,000	$ 3,735,000
Other Commitment	$ 479,000

Commitments and Contingencies Operating Lease (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 3,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	2,535,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	1,383,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	878,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	755,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	4,000,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 3,792,000	$ 3,415,000	$ 3,735,000

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Jun. 26, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 28, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible and other assets									$ 2,185,000	$ 0	$ 2,980,000
Revenues	$ 148,178,000	$ 150,946,000	$ 146,835,000	$ 168,405,000	$ 156,099,000	$ 158,677,000	$ 156,557,000	$ 177,210,000	614,364,000	648,543,000	660,877,000
Net Income (Loss)	661,000	4,367,000	19,483,000	11,508,000	10,134,000	2,135,000	2,042,000	10,007,000	36,019,000	24,318,000	7,671,000
Loss attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 404,000	$ 4,092,000	$ 19,228,000	$ 11,237,000	$ 9,881,000	$ 1,882,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 9,753,000	$ 34,961,000	$ 23,316,000	$ 6,795,000
Basic	$ 0.01	$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 0.21	$ 0.18	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.19	$ 0.66	$ 0.44	$ 0.13
Diluted	$ 0.01	$ 0.08	$ 0.36	$ 0.21	$ 0.18	$ 0.03	$ 0.03	$ 0.18	$ 0.64	$ 0.43	$ 0.13