0001437749-20-025193 | 10-K | XBRL Viewer

Print Document View Excel Document

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000058361
Entity Registrant Name	LEE ENTERPRISES, INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-27
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 27, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-6227
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	42-0823980
Entity Address, Address Line One	4600 E 53rd Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Davenport
Entity Address, State or Province	IA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	52807
City Area Code	563
Local Phone Number	383-2100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock - $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	LEE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 52,359,374
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		58,353,084

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 618,004,000	$ 509,854,000	$ 543,955,000
Operating expenses:
Compensation	243,023,000	182,869,000	199,164,000
Newsprint and ink	24,243,000	22,237,000	24,949,000
Other operating expenses	259,382,000	193,709,000	199,653,000
Depreciation and amortization	36,133,000	29,332,000	31,766,000
Assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other	(5,403,000)	2,464,000	6,429,000
Restructuring costs and other	13,751,000	11,635,000	5,550,000
Total operating expenses	571,129,000	442,246,000	467,511,000
Equity in earnings of associated companies	3,403,000	7,121,000	9,249,000
Operating income	50,278,000	74,729,000	85,693,000
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense	(47,743,000)	(47,488,000)	(52,842,000)
Debt financing and administrative costs	(11,966,000)	(7,214,000)	(5,311,000)
Other, net	12,274,000	3,813,000	3,280,000
Total non-operating expense, net	(47,435,000)	(50,889,000)	(54,873,000)
Income before income taxes	2,843,000	23,840,000	30,820,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,104,000	7,931,000	(16,228,000)
Net income (loss)	(1,261,000)	15,909,000	47,048,000
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(1,845,000)	(1,641,000)	(1,282,000)
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	(3,106,000)	14,268,000	45,766,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	9,064,000	(17,368,000)	4,322,000
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 5,958,000	$ (3,100,000)	$ 50,088,000
Earnings per common share:
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.26	$ 0.84
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.25	$ 0.82
Advertising and Marketing Services [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 289,655,000	$ 265,933,000	$ 303,446,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	265,939,000	186,691,000	195,108,000
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 62,410,000	$ 57,230,000	$ 45,401,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 33,733,000	$ 8,645,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts: 2020 $13,431; 2019 $6,434	52,598,000	42,536,000
Inventories	7,534,000	3,769,000
Prepaids and other	14,888,000	5,353,000
Total current assets	108,753,000	60,303,000
Investments:
Associated companies	27,624,000	28,742,000
Other	6,255,000	10,684,000
Total investments	33,879,000	39,426,000
Property and equipment:
Land and improvements	18,711,000	16,979,000
Buildings and improvements	128,475,000	148,514,000
Equipment	245,117,000	237,289,000
Construction in process	2,323,000	1,980,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance	394,626,000	404,762,000
Less accumulated depreciation	289,017,000	322,723,000
Property and equipment, net	105,609,000	82,039,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets	70,933,000	0
Goodwill	328,445,000	250,309,000
Other intangible assets, net	182,680,000	107,393,000
Other	13,699,000	1,394,000
Total assets	864,057,000	555,202,000
Current liabilities:
Current portion of lease liabilities	8,577,000	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	13,733,000	2,954,000
Accounts payable	17,163,000	16,750,000
Compensation and other accrued liabilities	44,278,000	17,711,000
Accrued interest	0	1,903,000
Unearned revenue	60,271,000	21,720,000
Total current liabilities	144,022,000	61,038,000
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	524,557,000	429,391,000
Operating lease liabilities	62,374,000	0
Pension obligations	75,656,000	47,037,000
Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations	39,543,000	2,550,000
Deferred income taxes	15,208,000	29,806,000
Income taxes payable	18,048,000	8,742,000
Warrants and other	14,282,000	13,469,000
Total liabilities	893,690,000	592,033,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	256,431,000	255,476,000
Accumulated deficit	(268,529,000)	(265,423,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(20,050,000)	(29,114,000)
Total stockholders' deficit	(31,564,000)	(38,484,000)
Non-controlling interests	1,931,000	1,653,000
Total deficit	(29,633,000)	(36,831,000)
Total liabilities and deficit	864,057,000	555,202,000
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock	584,000	577,000
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock	0	0
Pension Plan [Member]
Property and equipment:
Retirement plan assets, net	4,147,000	0
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Property and equipment:
Retirement plan assets, net	$ 15,912,000	$ 14,338,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 13,431,000	$ 6,434,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authoritzed (in shares)	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	58,353,000	57,646,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	58,353,000	57,646,000
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 2	$ 2
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Total
Balance, beginning of year at Sep. 24, 2017	$ 567	$ 251,790		$ (328,524)			$ (16,068)
Balance, beginning of year (in shares) at Sep. 24, 2017	56,712
Shares issued	$ 5	(318)
Shares issued (in shares)	429
Balance, beginning of year at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 572	253,511	$ 3,067	(279,691)		$ (3,067)	(11,746)	$ (37,354)
Balance, end of year (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	57,141							57,141
Stock compensation		2,039
Net (loss) income					$ 47,048			$ 47,048
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests				(1,282)				1,282
Change in pension and postretirement benefits							10,477
Deferred income taxes, net							(3,088)
Shares issued	$ 5	(75)
Shares issued (in shares)	505
Balance, beginning of year at Sep. 29, 2019	$ 577	255,476	0	(265,423)		0	(29,114)	$ (38,484)
Balance, end of year (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2019	57,646							57,646
Stock compensation		2,040
Net (loss) income					15,909			$ 15,909
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests				(1,641)				1,641
Change in pension and postretirement benefits							(24,667)
Deferred income taxes, net							7,299
Shares issued	$ 7	(87)
Shares issued (in shares)	707
Balance, beginning of year at Sep. 27, 2020	$ 584	256,431	$ 0	(268,529)		$ 0	(20,050)	$ (31,564)
Balance, end of year (in shares) at Sep. 27, 2020	58,353							58,353
Stock compensation		$ 1,042
Net (loss) income					$ (1,261)			$ (1,261)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests				$ (1,845)				$ 1,845
Change in pension and postretirement benefits							11,464
Deferred income taxes, net							$ (2,400)

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) allocated to other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120385591&loc=d3e39076-109324

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118261656&loc=d3e32136-110900

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118261656&loc=d3e32211-110900

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120385591&loc=d3e38679-109324

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(23))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399700&loc=SL114874048-224260

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(21))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32672-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450520&loc=d3e32583-110901

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(g)(1)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721683-107760

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75031198&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 235
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-05(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399901&loc=d3e537907-122884

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=SL7669625-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22663-107794

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4J
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120409616&loc=SL4591551-111686

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3000-108585

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108774443&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 4K
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120409616&loc=SL4591552-111686

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22658-107794

+ Details

- Definition

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash provided by operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (1,261)	$ 15,909	$ 47,048
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	36,133	29,332	31,766
Stock compensation expense	1,294	1,638	1,857
Assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other	(5,403)	2,464	6,429
Distributions greater (less) than earnings of MNI	1,402	465	(1,229)
Deferred income taxes	(3,560)	(2,003)	(17,378)
Debt financing and administrative costs	11,966	7,214	5,311
Pension contributions	6,215	(650)	(4,990)
Payments to collateralize letters of credit	(11,502)	0	0
Other, net	(1,083)	(497)	478
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in receivables and contract sales	26,908	1,697	4,418
Decrease (increase) in inventories and other	2,724	2,759	(1,926)
Decrease in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(8,341)	(3,676)	(8,587)
(Decrease) increase in pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations	(15,380)	1,900	(2,482)
Change in income taxes payable	7,123	1,495	687
Other, including warrants	2,634	(371)	(342)
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,869	57,676	59,296
Cash provided by (required for) investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(8,096)	(5,901)	(6,025)
Proceeds from sales of assets	21,710	1,502	6,623
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(130,985)	(6,543)	0
Distributions greater (less) than earnings of TNI	(329)	9	1,194
Other, net	(476)	0	(1,864)
Net cash required for investing activities	(118,176)	(10,933)	(72)
Cash provided by (required for) financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	576,000	600	10,000
Payments on long-term debt	443,627	41,832	73,526
Principal payments on long-term borrowings	(37,710)
Debt financing and administrative costs paid	(684)	(1,773)	(437)
Purchases of common stock transactions	(584)	(473)	(502)
Net cash provided (required) for financing activities	93,395	(43,478)	(64,465)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	25,088	3,265	(5,241)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	8,645	5,380	10,621
End of year	$ 33,733	$ 8,645	$ 5,380

Note 2 - Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

2 ACQUISITIONS

On March 16, 2020, the Company completed the Asset and Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 29, 2020 with Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Berkshire”) and BH Media Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“BH Media”) (“Purchase Agreement”). As part of the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of BH Media's newspapers and related publications business ("BH Media Newspaper Business"), excluding real estate and fixtures such as production equipment, and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of The Buffalo News, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Buffalo News") for a combined purchase price of $140,000,000 (collectively, the "Transactions"). BH Media includes 30 daily newspapers and digital operations, in addition to 49 paid weekly newspapers with websites and 32 other print products. Buffalo News is a provider of local print and digital news to the Buffalo, NY area. The rationale for the acquisition was primarily the attractive nature of the various publications, businesses, and digital platforms as well as the revenue growth and operating expense synergy opportunities.

The Transactions were funded pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of January 29, 2020 between the Company and BH Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company affiliated with Berkshire (the "Credit Agreement"), as described further in Note 6.

Between July 2, 2018 and March 16, 2020, the Company managed the BH Media Newspaper Business pursuant to a Management Agreement between BH Media and the Company dated June 26, 2018 ("the Management Agreement"). In connection with the Transactions, the Management Agreement terminated on March 16, 2020. As part of the settlement of the preexisting relationship, the Company received $5,425,000 at closing. This amount represents $1,245,000 in fixed fees pro-rated under the contract and $4,180,000 in variable fees based upon the pro-rated annual target. The amount we received settled our existing contract asset balance, which totaled $3,589,000 as of December 29, 2019, and the remaining amount was reflected in Other Revenue for the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2020. The amount of variable fees was estimated based on BH Media financial performance through March 16, 2020. Actual financial performance through March 16, 2020 did not vary materially from the estimated amount. As such, the Company did not recognize a gain or loss as a result of the settlement of this preexisting relationship.

In connection with the Transactions, the Company entered into a lease agreement between BH Media, as Landlord, and the Company, as Tenant, providing for the leasing of 68 properties and related fixtures (including production equipment) used in the BH Media Newspaper Business (the "BH Lease"). The Lease was signed and commenced on March 16, 2020. The BH Lease requires the Company to pay annual rent of $8,000,000, payable in equal payments, as well as all operating costs relating to the properties (including maintenance, repairs, property taxes and insurance). Rent payments will be subject to a Rent Credit (as defined in the Lease) equal to 8.00% of the net consideration for any leased real estate sold by BH Media during the term of the Lease. In connection with the BH Lease, the Company recognized $56,226,000 and $56,226,000 in ROU assets and lease liabilities, respectively, as of March 16, 2020.

The allocation of the purchase price is preliminary. The valuation of property and equipment, intangibles, deferred income taxes, and residual goodwill is not complete, pending the completion of the final valuation reports. These amounts are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained within the measurement period (not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date). As part of the Transactions, the Company also entered into the Credit Agreement and the BH Lease, as described above. The Company concluded that these agreements were not separate from the Transactions and evaluated these agreements for off-market terms and no such terms were identified. As such, the consideration for the acquisitions was limited to cash consideration, as shown below.

The following table summarizes the preliminary determination of fair values of the assets and liabilities for the Transactions.

(in Thousands)	Estimated fair value as previously reported ^(a)			Measurement period adjustments			Fair value as adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents		22,293			—			22,293
Current assets		52,559			(886	)		51,673
Other assets		12,167			3,543			15,710
Property and equipment		42,952			33			42,985
Operating lease assets		7,445			101			7,546
Advertiser relationships		38,780			(10,820	)		27,960
Subscriber relationships		36,060			(7,860	)		28,200
Commercial print relationships		17,130			2,450			19,580
Mastheads		21,680			(1,290	)		20,390
Goodwill		63,559			14,577			78,136
Total assets		314,625			(152	)		314,473
Current liabilities assumed		(73,451	)		1,074			(72,377	)
Operating lease liabilities		(6.625	)		(921	)		(7,546	)
Other liabilities assumed		(2,246	)		—			(2,246	)
Pension obligations		(43,503	)		—			(43,503	)
Postemployment benefit obligations		(36,800	)		—			(36,800	)
Total liabilities		(162,625	)		152			(162,473	)
Net assets		152,000			—			152,000
Less: acquired cash		(22,293	)		—			(22,293	)
Total consideration less acquired cash		129,707			—			129,707

^(a) As previously reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 2020.

For the 52 weeks ended September 27, 2020, the revenue and net income included in the Consolidated Income Statement related to the acquirees were $200,751,000 and $13,166,000, respectively. Acquired net income includes interest expense, net of taxes, of $4,744,000 for the 52 weeks ended September 27, 2020, respectively, which is associated with the cost of financing the acquisitions.

The Company had various measurement period adjustments due to additional knowledge gained since March 29, 2020. The significant adjustments included $10,820,000 decrease to Advertiser relationships and $7,860,000 decrease to Subscriber relationships due to updates in assumptions related to the forecast and attrition rates, both were offset by increases to Goodwill. The change in other assets related to a $1,800,000 reclassification from current assets that was identified during management's review.

Pro Forma Information (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the Transactions, along with the credit arrangements necessary to finance the Transactions, occurred on October 1, 2018, the first day of fiscal year 2019.

	Unaudited
	September 27,		September 29,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)	2020		2019
Total revenues		821,793		973,143
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated		17,632		20,715
Earnings per share - diluted		0.31		0.36

This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments. This pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the businesses since the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma adjustments reflect the income statement effects of depreciation expense and amortization of intangibles related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired, acquisition-related costs, incremental interest expense related to the financing of the Transactions and 2020 Refinancing, the BH Lease entered into as part of the Transactions, the elimination of certain intercompany activity and the related tax effects of the adjustments.

The only material, nonrecurring adjustments made relate to the write-off of previously unamortized debt-issuance costs as of October 1, 2018 which resulted in a $7,693,000 decrease to net income for the 52 weeks ended September 29, 2019 and a $8,973,000 increase to net income for the 52 weeks ended September 27, 2020. No other periods were affected by the adjustments.

Note 3 - Revenue

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]

3 REVENUE

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by source:

(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020		September 29, 2019		September 30, 2018

Advertising and marketing services revenue		289,655		265,933		303,446
Subscription Revenue		265,939		186,691		195,108
TownNews and other digital services revenue		20,478		19,637		16,328
Other revenue		41,932		37,593		29,073
Total operating revenue		618,004		509,854		543,955

Recognition principles: Revenue is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied by the transfer of control of the contracted goods or services to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

Arrangements with multiple performance obligations: We have various advertising and subscription agreements which include both print and digital performance obligations. Revenue from sales agreements that contain multiple performance obligations are allocated to each obligation based on the relative standalone selling price. We determine standalone selling prices based on observable prices charged to customers.

Contract Assets and Liabilities: The Company’s primary source of unearned revenue is from subscriptions paid in advance of the service provided. The Company expects to recognize the revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations over the next twelve months in accordance with the terms of the subscriptions and other contracts with customers. The unearned revenue balances described herein are the Company's only contract liability. Unearned revenue was $60,271,000 as of September 27, 2020 and $21,720,000 as of September 29, 2019. Revenue recognized in the 52 weeks ended September 27, 2020 that was included in the contract liability as of September 29, 2019 was $21,549,000.

Contract asset balances relate to our Management Agreement revenue was $1,107,000 as of September 29, 2019 and consisted solely of the variable portion of the contract. As a result of the Transactions, we had no contract balances as of September 27, 2020. In conjunction with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the previously recorded contract asset balance was collected on March 16, 2020. Accounts receivable, excluding allowance for doubtful accounts and contract assets, was $66,029,000 and $47,863,000 as of September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 respectively. Allowance for doubtful accounts was $13,431,000 and $6,434,000 as of September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

Practical expedients: Sales commissions are expensed as incurred as the associated contractual periods are one year or less. These costs are recorded within compensation. The vast majority of our contracts have original expected lengths of one year or less and revenue is earned at a rate and amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of revenue from contract with customer to transfer good or service and to transfer nonfinancial asset. Includes, but is not limited to, disaggregation of revenue, credit loss recognized from contract with customer, judgment and change in judgment related to contract with customer, and asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. Excludes insurance and lease contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=49130388

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130551-203045

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130556-203045

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130550-203045

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130558-203045

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

+ Details

Note 4 - Investments in Associated Companies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

4 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:

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

ASSETS
Current assets		2,643			3,484
Investments and other assets		998			1,350
Total assets		3,641			4,834

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Total liabilities		4,663			5,924
Members' equity		(1,022	)		(1,090	)
Total liabilities and members' equity		3,641			4,834

Summarized results of TNI are as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019		2018

Operating revenue		37,101		43,532		47,165
Operating expenses		29,673		34,224		37,090
Net income		7,428		9,308		10,075

Company's 50% share		3,714		4,654		5,038
Less amortization of intangible assets		209		418		418
Equity in earnings of TNI		3,505		4,236		4,620

TNI makes weekly distributions of its earnings. We received $3,176,000, $4,245,000 and $5,814,000 in distributions in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

At September 27, 2020, the carrying value of the Company's 50% investment in TNI is $15,069,000. 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 $3,090,000, certain of which are being amortized over their estimated useful lives through 2020. See Note 5.

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 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:

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

ASSETS
Current assets		10,113		8,796
Investments and other assets		29,952		31,134
Total assets		40,065		39,930

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities		8,540		5,912
Other liabilities		5,862		6,064
Stockholders' equity		25,663		27,954
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		40,065		39,930

Summarized results of MNI are as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019		2018

Operating revenue		48,056			56,790		59,670
Operating expenses, excluding restructuring costs, depreciation and amortization		46,845			48,121		49,598
Restructuring costs		274			355		383
Depreciation and amortization		697			1,018		1,149
Operating income		240			7,296		8,540
Net income		(204	)		5,770		9,257
Equity in earnings of MNI		(102	)		2,885		4,629

MNI makes quarterly distributions of its earnings. We received $1,300,000, $3,350,000 and 3,400,000 in distributions in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We provide editorial services to MNI. Editorial service fees are included in other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and totaled $6,152,000, $6,636,000 and $6,718,000, in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

At September 27, 2020, the carrying value of the Company's 50% investment in MNI is $12,600,000.

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

5 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Goodwill, gross amount		1,539,038			1,534,905
Accumulated impairment losses		(1,288,729	)		(1,288,729	)
Goodwill, beginning of year		250,309			246,176
Goodwill acquired in business combinations		78,136			4,133
Goodwill, end of year		328,445			250,309

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

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

Non-amortized intangible assets:
Mastheads	40,459		21,883
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer and newspaper subscriber lists	774,604		697,145
Less accumulated amortization	632,457		611,786
		142,147		85,359
Non-compete and consulting agreements	28,656		28,675
Less accumulated amortization	28,582		28,524
		74		151
		182,680		107,393

In January 2017, the FASB issued a new standard simplifying the assessment of a goodwill impairment. The new standard maintains a qualitative and quantitative assessment but eliminates the Step 2 of the quantitative assessment. The new standard also changes the way a goodwill impairment is calculated. For companies that have reporting units with zero or negative carrying value, the new standard requires disclosure of the amount of goodwill for those reporting units.

All of the Company’s goodwill is attributed to the single reporting unit with negative carrying value. The Company performed its annual assessment on the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter, and determined the fair value of our single reporting unit was significantly in excess of carrying value and as such, there was no impairment in 2020 and 2019.

In 2020, due to continuing revenue declines, cost of debt, and debt to equity weighting, 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 2018. No such charges occurred in 2019. Such charges are recorded in assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other 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)	2020		2019		2018

Continuing operations:
Non-amortized intangible assets		972		—		—
Property, equipment and other assets		—		—		267
		972		—		267

The Company recognized $27,960,000 of advertiser relationships, $28,200,000 of subscriber relationships, $19,580,000 of commercial print relationships and $20,390,000 of indefinite-lived masthead assets as part of the Transactions.

Annual amortization of intangible assets for the years ending September 2021 to September 2025 is estimated to be $22,617,000, $20,451,000, $19,654,000, $17,920,000, and $12,897,000, respectively. The weighted average amortization period for those amortizable assets acquired as part of the Transactions is 10.5 years.

The Company recognized $78,136,000 of Goodwill as part of the Transactions. The value of the acquired Goodwill is primarily related to an assembled workforce and expected synergies from combining operations. For tax, purposes, the amount of Goodwill that is expected to be deductible is $41,734,000. Refer to Note 2 for more information regarding preliminary purchasing accounting for the Transactions.

Note 6 - Debt

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

6 DEBT

On March 16, 2020 concurrent with closing the Transactions, the Company completed a comprehensive refinancing of its debt (the "2020 Refinancing"). The 2020 Refinancing consists of a 25-year term loan with BH Finance LLC ("BH Finance"), an affiliate of Berkshire, in an aggregate principal amount of $576,000,000 at a 9% annual rate (referred to herein as "Credit Agreement" and "Term Loan"). The proceeds of the Term Loan were used, along with cash on hand, to refinance the Company's $431,502,000 in existing debt as well as to fund the acquisition of BH Media Newspaper Business assets and the stock of the Buffalo News for $140,000,000 in cash. With the closing of this transaction, BH Finance became Lee's sole lender. Proceeds of the Term Loan were used to finance the Transactions and refinance all of the Company's outstanding debt at par, including:

•

To redeem the 9.5% senior secured notes ("Notes") pursuant to an indenture dated as of March 31, 2014 (the "Indenture"); and

•

To repay the 12.0% second lien term loan pursuant to a Second Lien Term Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014, as amended (the "2nd Lien Term Loan").

There was no gain or loss recognized upon extinguishment of the Indenture, 1st and 2nd Lien Term Loan.

As a result of the 2020 Refinancing, the Indenture, First Lien Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2014 (the "1st Lien Credit Facility") and 2nd Lien Loan Agreement were terminated. The Credit Agreement documents the primary terms of the Term Loan. The Term Loan matures on March 15, 2045.

Debt is summarized as follows:

						Interest Rates (%)
	September 27		September 29			September 27
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019			2020

Term Loan		538,290		—			9.00
Revolving Facility		—		—			—
1st Lien Term Loan		—		—			—
Notes		—		363,420			—
2nd Lien Term Loan		—		80,207			—
		538,290		443,627
Unamortized debt issue costs		—		(11,282	)
Less current maturities of long-term debt		13,733		2,954
Total long-term debt		524,557		429,391

As part of our refinancing, we incurred approximately $417,000 in debt financing costs, which are reflected in Debt financing and administrative costs. On March 16, 2020, we recognized $9,583,000 in Debt financing and administrative costs related to previously unamortized debt issuance costs related to the extinguished debt.

Our weighted average cost of debt at September 27, 2020, is 9.0%.

At September 27, 2020, debt was reduced $37,710,000 from the 2020 Refinancing, mainly due from Excess Cash Flow, as defined in the Credit Agreement. In addition, $1,000,000 from asset sales was used to pay debt through September 27, 2020. Excess Cash Flow in the fourth quarter totaled $13,733,000 and was paid in the 13-weeks ended December 27, 2020. This is shown as the Current maturities of long-term debt. Future payments are contingent on the Company's ability to generate future Excess Cash Flow.

Interest

Interest on the Term Loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 9.0%, payable monthly, and matures in March 2045.

Principal Payments

Voluntary pre-payments under the Credit Agreement are not subject to call premiums and are payable at par.

Excluding the Excess Cash Flow payments described below, there are no scheduled mandatory principal payments required under the Credit Agreement. The Company is required to make mandatory pre-payments of the Term Loan as follows:

•

The Company must prepay the Term Loan in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of any Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Subsidiary from a sale, transfer, license, or other disposition of any property of the Company or any subsidiary in excess of $500,000 in any ninety (90) day period.

•

Beginning on June 28, 2020, the Company is required to prepay the Term Loan with excess cash flow, defined as cash on the balance sheet at quarter end in excess of $20,000,000 ("Excess Cash Flow"). Excess Cash Flow is used to prepay the Term Loan, at par, and is due within 50-days of quarter end.

•

If there is a Change of Control (as defined in the Credit Agreement), BH Finance has the option to require the Company to prepay the Term Loan in cash equal to 105% of the unpaid principal balance, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The Company may, upon notice to BH Finance, at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part, at par, provided that any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount of principal prepaid to the date of prepayment.

Covenants and Other Matters

The Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties, certain affirmative and negative covenants and certain conditions. Certain existing and future direct and indirect material domestic subsidiaries of the Company are guarantors of the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement restricts us from paying dividends on our Common Stock. This restriction does not apply to dividends issued with the Company's Equity Interests or from the proceeds of a sale of the Company's Equity Interests. Further, the Credit Agreement restricts or limits, among other things, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) make certain investments, (iii) enter into mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (iv) incur or create liens and (v) enter into transactions with certain affiliates. The Credit Agreement contains various representations and warranties by the Company and may be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including non-payment. The Credit Agreement also contains cross-default provisions tied to other agreements with BH Finance entered into by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with the 2020 Refinancing.

Security

The Term Loan is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several first-priority basis by the Company's material domestic subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary Guarantors", but excluding MNI and TNI,), pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral agreement dated as of March 16, 2020 (the "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement"). The Term Loan and the subsidiary guarantees are secured, subject to certain exceptions, priorities and limitations, by perfected security interests in substantially all property and assets, including certain real estate, of the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors.

Also, the Term Loan is 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 Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (excluding the capital stock of MNI and TNI).

Warrants

In connection with the 2^ndLien 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 provisions requiring the Warrants to be measured at fair value and included in warrants and other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We re-measure 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 13.

In connection with the issuance of the Warrants, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 14, 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 statements related to the shares of Common Stock to be issues upon exercise of the Warrants.

Other

In connection with the 2014 Refinancing, we capitalized $37,819,000 of debt financing costs. Amortization of debt financing costs totaled $11,282,000, $5,773,100 and $4,769,000 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In connection with the Transactions, we accelerated recognition of the unamortized debt financing costs of $9,583,000 in 2020.

During the 52 weeks ended September 29, 2019, we identified an adjustment of $1,309,000 related to debt financing costs that should have been recorded in prior periods. The impact of recording this out of period adjustment was an increase to Debt financing and administrative costs of $1,309,000 in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the 52 weeks ended September 29, 2019 and an increase to debt of $1,309,000 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We do not believe the impact of the adjustment is material to our consolidated financial statements for any previously issued financial statements taken as a whole, or to our net income for the 52 weeks ended September 29, 2019. Further, the impact of the corrections was not material to any of our Consolidated Balance Sheets nor our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Liquidity

Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, our new debt does not include a revolver.

Our liquidity, consisting of cash on the balance sheet, totals $33,733,000 at September 27, 2020. 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 existing cash and our cash flows, which will allow us to maintain an adequate level of liquidity. The Warrants as defined above, if and when exercised, would provide additional liquidity in an amount up to $25,140,000, which is not considered in the calculation of Excess Cash Flow.

There are numerous potential consequences under the 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 BH Finance to exercise their remedies under the Credit Agreement 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 Credit Agreement (as defined above) has only limited affirmative covenants with which we are required to maintain compliance and there are no leverage or financial performance covenants. We are in compliance with our debt covenants at September 27, 2020.

Note 7 - Pension Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Pension Plan [Member]

Notes to Financial Statements

Retirement Benefits [Text Block]

7 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 for Legacy Lee (as defined above), 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.

In connection with the Transactions, we acquired four additional defined pension plans related to Buffalo News. The addition of these four plans significantly increased our benefit obligation in 2020.

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019			2018

Service cost for benefits earned during the year		1,361			36			48
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		7,577			6,563			5,754
Expected return on plan assets		(12,986	)		(8,073	)		(7,933	)
Amortization of net loss		3,166			1,135			2,025
Amortization of prior service benefit		(6	)		(100	)		(136	)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)		(888	)		(439	)		(242	)

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets are as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Benefit obligation, beginning of year		192,369			176,531
Business combination		195,834			—
Service cost		1,361			36
Interest cost		7,577			6,563
Actuarial loss (gain)		20,525			20,687
Benefits paid		(16,246	)		(11,448	)
Administrative expenses paid		(39	)		—
Benefit obligation, end of year		401,381			192,369
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:		146,999			151,255
Business combination		152,331			—
Actual return on plan assets		44,933			8,705
Benefits paid		(16,246	)		(11,448	)
Administrative expenses paid		(2,794	)		(2,163	)
Employer contributions		6,131			650
Fair value of plan assets, end of year		331,354			146,999
Funded status		(70,027	)		(45,370	)

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Pension obligations		(70,027	)		(45,370	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before income taxes)		(41,344	)		(53,066	)

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Unrecognized net actuarial loss	(41,344		)	(53,072		)
Unrecognized prior service benefit	-			6
		(41,344	)		(53,066	)

We expect to recognize $4,018,000 of unrecognized net actuarial loss, in net periodic pension cost in 2021.

The accumulated benefit obligation for the plans total $401,381,000 at September 27, 2020 and $192,369,000 at September 29, 2019. 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 $401,381,000, $401,381,000 and $331,354,000, respectively, at September 27, 2020.

Assumptions

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

	September 27	September 29
(Percent)	2020	2019

Discount rate	2.8	3.1

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

(Percent)	2020	2019	2018

Discount rate - service cost	3.3	4.2	3.7
Discount rate - interest cost	2.6	3.9	3.1
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.0	5.5	5.5

For 2020, the expected long-term return on plan assets is 6.0%. 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, 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 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
	September 27	September 27		September 29
Asset Class	2020	2020		2019

Equity securities	50	48		49
Debt securities	35	33		34
TIPS	5	5		5
Hedge fund investments	10	10		10
Cash and cash equivalents	—	4		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. Buffalo News assets are excluded from the table above as we are still converting their asset allocation from their previous policy to align with Legacy Lee. Buffalo news asset allocation consists of 92% equity securities, 2% debt securities, and 6% of cash and equivalents. As of September 27, 2020 Buffalo News had no policy for asset allocation.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value hierarchy of pension assets at September 27, 2020 is as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents	—	17,287	—	—
Domestic equity securities	5,500	151,584	60,333	—
International equity securities	—	6,893	7,396	—
Emerging equity securities	—	7,225	—	—
TIPS	—	6,967	—	—
Debt securities	—	22,253	32,167	—
Hedge fund investments	15,977	—	—	—

The fair value hierarchy of pension assets at September 29, 2019 is as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents		—		2,970		—		—
Domestic equity securities		9,524		8,971		40,593		—
International equity securities		—		6,525		7,283		—
TIPS		—		6,918		—		—
Debt securities		—		26,392		24,190		—
Hedge fund investments		15,733		—		—		—

There were no purchases, sales or transfers of assets classified as Level 3 in 2020 or 2019. Pension assets included in the fair value hierarchy at net asset value, or "NAV", include three investments:

•

U.S. small cap value equity common/collective fund for which fund prices are not publicly available. The balance of this investment is $5,500,000 and $9,524,000 as of September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively. We can redeem this fund on a monthly basis.

•

Global equity long/short common/collective hedge fund-of-funds for which fund prices are established on a monthly basis. The balance of this investment is $7,096,000 and $7,923,000 as of September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively. We can redeem up to 90% of our investment in this fund within 90-120 days of notice with the remaining distributed following completion of the audit of the Fund's financial statements for the year.

•

Global equity long/short common/collective hedge fund-of-funds for which fund prices are established on a monthly basis. The balance of this investment is $8,881,000 and $7,810,000 as of September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively. We can redeem up to 50% of our investment in this fund twice per year.

Cash Flows

Based on our forecast at September 27, 2020, we expect to make contributions of $3,190,000 to our pension trust in 2021.

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

(Thousands of Dollars)

2021		22,881
2022		22,385
2023		22,548
2024		22,630
2025		22,511
2026-2030		109,885

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 $1,483,000 and $1,667,000 at September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for retirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118257860&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21916913&loc=d3e273930-122802

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (o)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (p)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 70
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170846&loc=d3e28014-114942

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 60
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414203&loc=d3e39689-114964

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(03)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (q)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (r)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (l)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (r)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118255775&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

Notes to Financial Statements

Retirement Benefits [Text Block]

8 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 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)	2020			2019			2018

Service cost for benefits earned during the year		500			—			—
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		869			412			365
Expected return on plan assets		(1,060	)		(1,082	)		(1,080	)
Amortization of net actuarial gain		(743	)		(976	)		(984	)
Amortization of prior service benefit		(647	)		(723	)		(785	)
Curtailment gains		—			—			(2,031	)
Net periodic postretirement benefit		(1,081	)		(2,369	)		(4,515	)

In March 2017, we notified certain participants in one of our postemployment medical plans of changes to their plan, which included notice that the plan will terminate on December 31, 2017. These changes resulted in a non-cash curtailment gain of $2,031,000 in 2018. The curtailment gain is recorded in assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. These charges also reduced the postemployment benefit obligation by $7,036,000 and reduced accumulated other comprehensive loss by $106,000 in 2018.

Changes in benefit obligations and plan assets are as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Benefit obligation, beginning of year		11,752			11,756
Business combination		36,800			—
Service cost		500			—
Interest cost		869			412
Actuarial loss (gain)		(982	)		1,033
Benefits paid, net of premiums received		(1,374	)		(1,507	)
Medicare Part D subsidies		72			58
Benefit obligation, end of year		47,637			11,752
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year		24,135			24,647
Business combination		—			—
Actual return on plan assets		1,594			2,097
Employer contributions		646			222
Benefits paid, net of premiums and Medicare Part D subsidies received		(1,077	)		(1,449	)
Benefits paid for active employees		(438	)		(1,382	)
One time asset transfer		846
Fair value of plan assets at measurement date		25,706			24,135
Funded status		(21,931	)		12,383

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Non-current assets		15,241			12,383
Postretirement benefit obligations		(37,172	)		—
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before income tax benefit)		14,269			14,818

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

Unrecognized net actuarial gain	4,826		4,970
Unrecognized prior service benefit	9,443		9,848
		14,269		14,818

We expect to recognize $687,000 and $647,000 of unrecognized net actuarial gain and unrecognized prior service benefit, respectively, in net periodic postretirement benefit in 2021.

Assumptions

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

	September 27	September 29
(Percent)	2020	2019

Discount rate	2.7	2.8
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)	2020	2019	2018

Discount rate - service cost	3.4	4.0	3.4
Discount rate - interest cost	2.8	3.7	2.8
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5	4.5

For 2020, the expected long-term return on plan assets is 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.

Assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:

	September 27	September 29
(Percent)	2020	2019

Health care cost trend rates	6.4	8.5
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	2030	2027

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 2020:

	One Percentage Point
(Thousands of Dollars)	Increase		Decrease

Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit		454		(344	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation		6,524		(5,216	)

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. The fair value of master trust assets allocated to the active employee medical plans at September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 is $671,000 and $1,955,000, respectively, which are included within the tables below.

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
		September 27	September 29
Asset Class	September 27 2020	2020	2019

Equity securities	20	20	18
Debt securities	70	70	68
Hedge fund investment	10	10	14
Cash and cash equivalents	—	—	—

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 27, 2020 is as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents	—	59	—	—
Domestic equity securities	590	2,868	—	—
Emerging equity securities	—	539	—	—
International equity securities	—	579	759	—
Debt securities	—	18,229	—	—
Hedge fund investment	2,754	—	—	—

The fair value hierarchy of postretirement assets at September 29, 2019 is as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents		—		—		—		—
Domestic equity securities		778		2,640		—		—
International equity securities		—		628		750		—
Debt securities		—		17,707		—		—
Hedge fund investment		3,587		—		—		—

There were no purchases, sales or transfers of assets classified as Level 3 in 2020 or 2019. Postretirement assets included in the fair value hierarchy at net asset value, or "NAV", include two investments:

•

U.S. small cap value equity common/collective fund for which fund prices are not publicly available. The balance of this investment is $590,000 and $778,000 as of 9/27/2020 and 9/29/2019, respectively. We can redeem this fund on a monthly basis.

•

Global equity long/short common/collective hedge fund-of-funds for which fund prices are established on a monthly basis. The balance of this investment is $2,754,000 and $3,587,000 as of 9/27/2020 and 9/29/2019, respectively. We can redeem up to 90% of our investment in this fund within 90-120 days of notice with the remaining distributed following completion of the audit of the Fund's financial statements for the year.

Cash Flows

Based on our forecast at September 27, 2020, we do not expect to contribute to our postretirement plans in 2021.

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:

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

2021		2,339		(57	)		2,282
2022		2,332		(54	)		2,278
2023		2,328		(51	)		2,277
2024		2,304		(48	)		2,256
2025		2,269		(44	)		2,225
2026-2030		10,908		(166	)		10,742

Postemployment Plan

Our postemployment benefit obligation, which represents certain disability benefits, is $2,371,000 at September 27, 2020 and $2,550,000 at September 29, 2019.

Subsequent Events (Unaudited)

In October, 2020, we eliminated retiree medical benefits to certain employees. The elimination of postretirement medical coverage resulted in non-cash curtailment gains of $23,800,000, which will be recognized in the 13-weeks ended December 27, 2020. Curtailment gains were calculated by revaluation of plan liabilities after consideration of other plan changes.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for retirement benefits.

+ References

+ Details

Note 9 - Other Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Other Retirement Plans [Text Block]

9 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 the defined contribution retirement plan, charged to continuing operations are $4,141,000 in 2020, $3,849,000 in 2019 and $4,430,000 in 2018.

Multiemployer Pension Plans

We contributed to five 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

Expiration Dates of

Pension Plan

2020

2019

Status

2020

2019

2018

Surcharge Imposed

CBAs

GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund

Red

Implemented

107

3/24/2022

District No. 9, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Pension Trust

Green

N/A

2/28/2021

CWA/ITU negotiated Pension Plan

Red

N/A

456

—

6/10/2022

1/13/2022

IAM National Pension Fund

Green

N/A

—

N/A

4/18/2021

12/19/2020

Operating Engineers Central Pension Fund of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Participating Employers

Green

N/A

—

N/A

12/16/2020

The Company has effectuated withdrawals from several multiemployer plans. We record estimates of withdrawal liabilities as of the time the contracts excluding multiemployer plan benefits are ratified. As of September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, we had $11,473,000 and $7,359,000 withdrawal liabilities recorded in Other Liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liabilities reflect the estimated net present value of payments to the fund, payable over 20-years.

Several multiemployer plans have CBA's that expire in the next twelve months. It is reasonably possible that if the Company is unable to renegotiate these agreements employees could go on strike which could disrupt the normal operations of the Company.

Subsequent Events (unaudited)

In October 2020, we effectuated a withdrawal from a multiemployer plan at our Buffalo subsidiary. We estimate a withdrawal liability of $12,300,000 that will be recorded in the 13-weeks ended December 27, 2020.

Note 10 - Common Stock and Class B Common Stock

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]

10 COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK

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 previous 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 warrants and other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We re-measure 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 27, 2020, the fair value of the Warrants is $363,000.

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.

- 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

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65888546&loc=d3e21300-112643

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21553-112644

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 480
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=d3e177068-122764

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120397183&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 11: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(27))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 12: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 13: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

+ Details

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]

11 STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

Total non-cash stock compensation expense is $1,042,000, $1,638,000 and $1,857,000, in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

At September 27, 2020, we have reserved 4,232,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance to employees under an incentive and nonstatutory stock option and restricted stock plan approved by stockholders of which 3,804,000 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)	2020			2019			2018

Under option, beginning of year		809			1,100			1,271
Exercised		—			(93	)		(131	)
Canceled		(396	)		(198	)		(40	)
Under option, end of year		413			809			1,100
Exercisable, end of year		413			809			1,100

Weighted average prices of stock options are as follows:

(Dollars)	2020	2019	2018

Exercised	—	2.06	1.42
Cancelled	2.53	2.08	2.49
Under option, end of year	1.14	1.82	1.88

A summary of stock options outstanding at September 27, 2020 is as follows:

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

1 - 2	412	1.7	1.14	412	1.14
2 - 3	—	—	—	—	—
	412	1.7	1.14	412	1.14

There is no unrecognized compensation expense for unvested stock options at September 27, 2020.

The stock options outstanding have no aggregate intrinsic value at September 27, 2020.

Restricted Common Stock

A summary of restricted Common Stock activity follows:

(Thousands of Shares)	2020			2019			2018

Outstanding, beginning of year		1,477			2,059			2,478
Granted		720			788			587
Vested		(605	)		(1,337	)		(936	)
Forfeited		(42	)		(33	)		(70	)
Outstanding, end of year		1,550			1,477			2,059

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

(Dollars)	2020	2019	2018

Outstanding, beginning of year	2.49	2.31	2.69
Granted	1.62	2.18	2.33
Vested	2.34	2.03	3.31
Forfeited	2.44	2.13	2.85
Outstanding, end of year	2.15	2.49	2.31

Total unrecognized compensation expense for unvested restricted Common Stock at September 27, 2020 is $1,241,000, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.

In December 2020, we expect to issue shares of 600,000 restricted Common Stock to employees. All restrictions with respect to these shares lapse in December 2023.

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 2020, 2019 or 2018.

Note 12 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

12 INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019			2018

Current:
Federal	8,779			8,763			275
State	(11		)	1,171			875
Deferred	(4,665		)	(2,003		)	(17,378		)
		4,104			7,931			(16,228	)

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

(Percent of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes)	2020			2019			2018

Computed “expected” income tax expense (benefit)	21.0			21.0			24.7
State income tax expense, net of federal tax impact	21.7			1.3			2.6
Net income of associated companies taxed at dividend rates	(18.3		)	(3.9		)	(5.1		)
Resolution of tax matters	(30.5		)	1.7			(8.4		)
Remeasurement due to rate changes	24.0			—			—
Non-deductible expenses	19.4			3.4			2.9
Valuation allowance	110.0			10.8			9.9
Warrant valuation	(7.3		)	(0.6		)	0.2
Revaluation of deferred income taxes due to law charges	—			—			(79.1		)
Other	4.4			(0.4		)	(0.4		)
		144.4			33.3			(52.7	)

Net deferred income tax liabilities consist of the following components:

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(18,646	)		(14,424	)
Identified intangible assets		(16,765	)		(15,358	)
ASC 842 - Leases DTL		(18,669	)		—
Investments		(6,154	)		(3,164	)
		(60,234	)		(32,946	)
Deferred income tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts		1,733			1,279
Pension and postretirement benefits		7,075			2,048
Long-term debt		350			(9,219	)
Interest deduction limitation		5,383			4,255
Operating loss carryforwards		28,240			41,610
ASC 842 - Leases DTA		18,675			—
Accrued compensation		13,142			1,810
Accrued expenses		1,673			426
Other		430			844
		76,701			43,053
Valuation allowance		(31,675	)		(39,913	)
Net deferred income tax liabilities		(15,208	)		(29,806	)

All deferred taxes are categorized as non-current.

A reconciliation of 2020 and 2019 changes in gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Balance, beginning of year		18,252			16,104
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years		(331	)		33
Increases in tax positions for the current year		9,825			2,472
Lapse in statute of limitations		(738	)		(357	)
Balance, end of year		27,008			18,252

Approximately $10,319,000 and $10,665,000 of the gross unrecognized tax benefit balances for 2020 and 2019, 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 $12,518,000 at September 27, 2020. 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, $1,000,000 at September 27, 2020 and $848,000 at September 29, 2019. There were no amounts provided for penalties at September 27, 2020 or September 29, 2019.

At September 27, 2020, we had a deferred tax asset of $5,383,000 related to disallowed interest expense.

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 29, 2014 are open for examination. The Federal and remaining state returns are open beginning with the September 28, 2015 year.

At September 27, 2020, we have state tax benefits of approximately $46,066,000 in net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards that expire between 2021 and 2040. These NOL carryforwards result in a deferred income tax asset of $36,392,000 at September 27, 2020, a portion of which is offset by a valuation allowance.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References + Details

Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

13 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 $4,226,000, including our 16.7% ownership of the non-voting common stock and 0.7% of the voting common stock of TCT, which represents 8.7% of total TCT stock, and a private equity investment, are carried at cost. As of September 27, 2020, the approximate fair value of the private equity investment is $702,000 which is a level 3 fair value measurement.

At September 27, 2020 we had no floating rate debt. Our fixed rate debt consists of $538,290,000 principal amount of the Term Note. At September 27, 2020, based on market quotations, the fair value approximates carrying value. This represents a Level 2 fair value measurement.

As discussed more fully in Notes 6 and 10, 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 re-measure 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 27, 2020, September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 is $363,000, $1,195,000 and $1,807,000, respectively. In other, net non-operating income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, we recognized income of $832,000 in 2020, income of $612,000 in 2019 and expense of $226,000 in 2018, for adjustments in the fair value of the Warrants.

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

	2020		2019		2018

Volatility (Percent)		84		48		31
Risk-free interest rate (Percent)		0.12		1.58		2.91
Expected term (Years)		1.5		2.5		3.5
Estimated fair value (Dollars)		0.06		0.20		0.3

- 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

Note 14 - Earnings Per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

14 EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

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

(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except Per Common Share Data)	2020			2019			2018

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:		(3,106	)		14,268			45,766

Weighted average Common Stock		58,105			57,648			57,009
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock		(1,536	)		(2,083	)		(2,307	)
Basic average Common Stock		56,569			55,565			54,702
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock		367			1,319			1,246
Diluted average Common Stock		56,936			56,884			55,948
Earnings per common share:
Basic:		(0.05	)		0.26			0.84
Diluted		(0.05	)		0.25			0.82

For 2020 we had 6,000,000 weighted average shares not considered in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the Company recorded net losses. For 2019 and 2018, we had 6,384,000 and 7,206,000 weighted average shares, respectively, not considered in the computation of diluted earnings 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.

Note 15 - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

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

15 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)	2020			2019			2018

Balance, beginning of year		6,434			4,806			4,796
Additions charged to expense		8,607			2,751			1,952
Deductions from reserves		(1,610	)		(1,123	)		(1,942	)
Balance, end of year		13,431			6,434			4,806

Note 16 - Other Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Other Information [Text Block]

16 OTHER INFORMATION

Compensation and other accrued liabilities consist of the following:

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

Compensation	16,915		9,170
Retirement plans	2,317		2,637
Other	25,046		5,904
		44,278		17,711

Supplemental cash flow information includes the following cash payments:

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020	2019	2018

Interest	49,518	47,555	52,180
Debt financing and reorganization costs	707	1,773	437
Income tax payments, net	446	8,439	464

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes at September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, is related to pension and postretirement benefits.

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

17 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Capital Expenditures

At September 27, 2020, we had construction and equipment purchase commitments totaling approximately $2,050,000.

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 12.

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 2014.

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

We have effectuated withdrawals from various multiemployer plans, and as a result, we are subject to a 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 plan. Any withdrawal liabilities determined are funded over a period of 20 years.

Restructuring Costs and Other

We have recognized $13,751,000 of expense related to restructuring costs and other. This amount consists of an estimated withdrawal impact of $4,400,000, severance expense of $6,272,000, transition costs related to the Transactions of $1,807,000, and other of $1,272,808. We did not have a significant restructuring liability as of September 27, 2020 or September 29, 2019.

Note 18 - Leases

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block]

18 LEASES

We lease certain real estate, vehicles, and equipment. Our leases have a remaining lease terms of 1 to 40 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases, and some of which may include options to terminate the leases. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The depreciable lives of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise.

As of September 27, 2020, our Consolidated balance sheets include $70,933,000 of operating lease right-to-use assets, $8,577,000 of short-term operating lease liabilities included in Other current liabilities, and $62,374,000 of long-term operating lease liabilities.

Total lease expense consists of the following:


(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020
Operating lease costs		10,148
Variable lease costs		1,911
Short-term lease costs		426
Total Operating Lease Expense		12,485

Supplemental cash flow information related to our operating leases was as follows:


(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash outflow from operating leases		10,003
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities		1,630

As of September 27, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:


(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020
2021		14,438
2022		12,103
2023		11,213
2024		10,538
2025		9,763
Thereafter		41,390
Total lease payments		99,445
Less: interest		(28,494)
Present value of lease liabilities		70,951

As of the year ended September 29, 2019, minimum lease payments during the five years ending September 2024 and thereafter were $3,403,000, $2,290,000, $2,238,000, $1,637,000, $1,367,000, and $4,991,000, respectively.

Our lease contracts are discounted using the incremental borrowing rate for the Company. We determined the incremental borrowing rate based on a senior secured collateral adjusted yield curve for the Company. This yield curve reflects the estimated rate that would have been paid by the Company to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment. This rate was reassessed as part of the Transactions and was utilized to re-measure the assumed lease liabilities as well as the BH Lease as of March 16, 2020. We will assess this rate annually to determine whether it needs to be updated. The weighted average revolving lease terms and discount rates for all of our operating leases were as follows.

	September 27, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)		8.64
Weighted Average discount rate		8.24	%

Note 19 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

19 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

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

2020

Operating revenue		122,343		121,367			182,528			191,766

Net income (loss)		5,717		(4,990	)		(727	)		(1,261	)

Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated		5,320		(5,367	)		(1,275	)		(1,784	)

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic		0.09		(0.09	)		(0.02	)		(0.03	)
Diluted		0.09		(0.09	)		(0.02	)		(0.03	)

2019

Operating revenue		136,201		122,704			127,284			123,665

Net income (loss)		10,719		(2,327	)		6,172			1,345

Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated		10,361		(2,678	)		5,766			819

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic		0.19		(0.05	)		0.10			0.01
Diluted		0.18		(0.05	)		0.10			0.01

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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. TNI and MNI are accounted for under the equity method. Results of TownNews are consolidated.

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from what is commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act"). In the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we re-measured our deferred taxes related to unrealized gains on our investment balances using the reduced tax rate. As required by GAAP, we recognized the net tax benefit in the provision for income taxes in our consolidated income statements, and we reclassified a $3,067,000 net tax benefit from AOCI to retained earnings in our consolidated balance sheets. Adoption of the standard had no impact to our consolidated income statements or cash flows statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued a new standard that makes improvements to the accounting for employee share-based payments. The new standard simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. We adopted this standard in 2018 and the impact from the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" and in 2015, 2016, and 2017 the FASB issued several clarifying updates to this new standard (ASU No. 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-11, 2016-12, 2016-20 and 2017-05), which collectively comprises ASC Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 "Revenue Recognition" and is effective fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Topic 606 provides a five-step model in determining when and how revenue is recognized and requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard was adopted in 2019 using the modified retrospective method and did not result in a material change to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

We have evaluated subsequent events through December 11, 2020. No events have occurred subsequent to September 27, 2020 that require disclosure or recognition in these financial statements other than those mentioned in Note 8 and Note 9.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, 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.

Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]

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.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Newsprint inventories and other inventories are priced at the lower of cost or net realizable value. LIFO newsprint inventories at September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019 are less than replacement cost by $942,000 and $1,661,000, respectively.

The components of inventory by cost method are as follows:

(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020		September 29, 2019

Newsprint - FIFO method	564		1,498
Newsprint - LIFO method	1,222		1,296
Other inventory - FIFO method	2,794		975
Specific identification	2,954		—
		7,534		3,769

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Equipment and all other assets, except for printing presses and preprint insertion equipment, which were previously depreciated by declining-balance methods, are depreciated by straight line. This change in accounting policy will be applied prospectively and effect on previous years are not material. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

	Years

Buildings and improvements		4 - 40
Printing presses and insertion equipment		5 - 28
Other		3 - 17

Additionally, we acquired leasehold improvements as part of the Transactions with useful lives between 3 -9 years.

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. The cost of asset retirements and related accruals was not material in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include customer lists, newspaper subscriber lists and mastheads. Legacy Lee intangible assets subject to amortization are being amortized using the straight-line method and intangible assets acquired in the Transactions are being amortized in an accelarated manner consistent with the expected economic benefit.

	Years

Customer lists		10 - 23
Newspaper subscriber lists		10 - 33

We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis by performing a qualitative and quantitative assessment. Companies with reporting units with zero or negative carrying value are required to disclose the amount of goodwill for those reporting units.

The Company's goodwill is all attributable to a single reporting unit entity with negative carrying value. In 2020 and 2019, the Company had $328,445,000 and $250,309,000 of goodwill in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The annual assessment is made on the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter, or more frequently if impairment triggers are noted.

We review non-amortizing intangibles for impairment on an annual basis. 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 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.

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 5.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 805 "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"), which provides guidance for recognition and measurement of identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value. In a business combination, the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interest in the acquiree are recorded as of the date of acquisition at their respective fair values with limited exceptions. Any excess of the purchase price (consideration transferred) over the estimated fair values of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. The operating results of the acquired business are reflected in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

Noncontrolling Interest [Policy Text Block]

Non-controlling Interest

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

Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

On October 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of that date. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2018 are presented under the new guidance while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with legacy accounting under the old guidance. We did not record any adjustments to beginning retained earnings at October 1, 2018 as a result of adopting the new guidance.

Advertising and marketing services revenue: Advertising and marketing services revenue includes amounts charged to customers for retail, national, or classified advertising space purchased in our newspapers, advertisements placed on our digital platforms, and other print advertising products such as preprint inserts and direct mail. Advertising and marketing services revenue also include amounts charged to customers for digital marketing services which include: audience extension, Search Engine Optimization ("SEO"), Search Engine Marketing ("SEM"), web and mobile production, social media services and reputation monitoring and management. The following define the timing of revenue recognition for each general revenue category:

•

Print advertising revenue is recognized at the point in time the associated publication has been delivered.

•

Digital advertising revenue is recognized at the point in time that impressions are delivered.

•

Digital marketing services revenue is recognized over the period of time which the service is performed.

Advertising and marketing services contract transaction prices consist of fixed consideration. We recognize revenue when control of the related performance obligation transfers to the customer.

Payments for advertising revenue is due upon completion of our performance obligations at previously agreed upon rates. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, such timing differences are not large. As a result, we have determined that our contracts do not include a significant financing component.

Subscription revenue: Subscription revenue includes revenue for content delivered to consumers via print and digital products purchased by readers or distributors. Single copy revenue is also included in subscription revenue. Subscription revenue from single-copy and home delivery subscriptions is recognized at the point in time the publications are delivered. Digital subscription revenue is recognized over time as performance obligations are met via on-demand availability of online content made available to customers throughout the contract term. Payments for subscription revenue is typically collected in advance, are for contract periods of one year or less and result in an unearned revenue liability that is reduced when revenue is recognized.

Other revenue: Other revenue primarily consists of digital services, expired Management Agreement revenue in 2020, commercial printing and delivery of third party products. Management Agreement revenue consists of fixed and variable fees collected from our Management Agreement. Fixed fee revenue from the Management Agreement is recognized over time and paid quarterly and variable fees are paid annually. Variable fees are recognized when the fees are deemed earned and it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Commercial printing and delivery revenue is recognized when the product is delivered to the customer.

Digital services revenues, which are primarily delivered through TownNews, are primarily comprised of contractual agreements to provide webhosting and content management services. As such, digital services revenue is recognized over the contract period. Prices for digital services are agreed upon in advance of the contract beginning and are typically billed in arrears on a monthly basis, with the exception of implementation fees which are recognized as deferred revenue and amortized over the contract period.

Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]

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.

Restructuring Costs and Other, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restructuring Costs and Other

We incur severance related costs on an ongoing basis in response to overall industry trends. We accrue for severance related items generally as part of planned business transformation efforts when the impacted employees can be identified and the amounts are estimable. We did not have a significant severance liability as of September 27, 2020 or September 29, 2019.

Other costs included in Restructuring Costs and Other include estimated impacts of withdrawals from our multiemployer plans. Multiemployer plans are discussed in Note 9.

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

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.

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. We use the alternative spot rate approach which utilizes a full yield curve to estimate the interest cost component of benefit cost by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards and deferred income tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences which 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 that 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, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 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 government securities that are valued based upon quoted market prices in an active market. Such investments are classified as Level 1. Corporate bonds that are valued based on quoted market prices in an inactive market are classified as Level 2. 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 excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

Hedge funds consist of a long/short equity funds 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 excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

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 four 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 6, 10 and 13.

Uninsured Risks [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 $3,905,000 at September 27, 2020 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.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Standards Adopted in 2020

As discussed below, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for leases as of September 30, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases, and related updates, which established Accounting Standard Codification Topic 842, Leases. The new standard is based on the principle that entities should recognize assets and liabilities arising from leases. The new standard's primary change is the requirement for entities to recognize a lease liability for payments and a right-of-use ("ROU") asset representing the right to use the leased asset during the term on most operating lease arrangements. We adopted the standard effective September 30, 2019, the first day of fiscal year 2020.

We elected the package of practical expedients which permits the Company to not reassess under the new standard the prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, or initial direct costs. In addition, we did reassess whether existing land easements which were previously not accounted for as leases are or contain leases under the new guidance. We have elected to combine non-lease and lease components when accounting for leases. The Company has made a policy election to exclude short-term leases, those with an original term of less than twelve months, from recognition and measurement under ASC 842. As such, we have not recognized an ROU asset or lease liability for these leases. Additional information and disclosures required by this new standard are contained in Note 18.

We adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective method as of the adoption date. As a result of electing the modified retrospective approach, we have not restated prior year financial statements to conform to the new guidance. Our operating lease portfolio primarily includes real estate, office equipment, and vehicles.

As a result of adoption of ASC 842, we recorded operating lease right-of-use assets of $10,709,000, current portion of lease liability of $2,281,000, and operating lease liabilities of $8,353,000.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued a new standard to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a wider array of reasonable and supportable information to inform and develop credit loss estimates. We will be required to use a forward-looking expected credit loss model for both accounts receivables and other financial instruments. The new standard will be adopted beginning September 28, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align our credit loss methodology with the new standard. We are still evaluating this standard and its impact.

In August 2018, FASB issued a new standard to amend disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The new standard will be adopted beginning September 28, 2020 using a retrospective approach. The Company is still determining the impacts to our financial statement disclosures.

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020		September 29, 2019

Newsprint - FIFO method	564		1,498
Newsprint - LIFO method	1,222		1,296
Other inventory - FIFO method	2,794		975
Specific identification	2,954		—
		7,534		3,769

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

	Years

Buildings and improvements		4 - 40
Printing presses and insertion equipment		5 - 28
Other		3 - 17

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

	Years

Customer lists		10 - 23
Newspaper subscriber lists		10 - 33

Note 2 - Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

	Unaudited
	September 27,		September 29,
(Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data)	2020		2019
Total revenues		821,793		973,143
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated		17,632		20,715
Earnings per share - diluted		0.31		0.36

BHMG [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

(in Thousands)	Estimated fair value as previously reported ^(a)			Measurement period adjustments			Fair value as adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents		22,293			—			22,293
Current assets		52,559			(886	)		51,673
Other assets		12,167			3,543			15,710
Property and equipment		42,952			33			42,985
Operating lease assets		7,445			101			7,546
Advertiser relationships		38,780			(10,820	)		27,960
Subscriber relationships		36,060			(7,860	)		28,200
Commercial print relationships		17,130			2,450			19,580
Mastheads		21,680			(1,290	)		20,390
Goodwill		63,559			14,577			78,136
Total assets		314,625			(152	)		314,473
Current liabilities assumed		(73,451	)		1,074			(72,377	)
Operating lease liabilities		(6.625	)		(921	)		(7,546	)
Other liabilities assumed		(2,246	)		—			(2,246	)
Pension obligations		(43,503	)		—			(43,503	)
Postemployment benefit obligations		(36,800	)		—			(36,800	)
Total liabilities		(162,625	)		152			(162,473	)
Net assets		152,000			—			152,000
Less: acquired cash		(22,293	)		—			(22,293	)
Total consideration less acquired cash		129,707			—			129,707

Note 3 - Revenue (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020		September 29, 2019		September 30, 2018

Advertising and marketing services revenue		289,655		265,933		303,446
Subscription Revenue		265,939		186,691		195,108
TownNews and other digital services revenue		20,478		19,637		16,328
Other revenue		41,932		37,593		29,073
Total operating revenue		618,004		509,854		543,955

Note 4 - Investments in Associated Companies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

ASSETS
Current assets		2,643			3,484
Investments and other assets		998			1,350
Total assets		3,641			4,834

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Total liabilities		4,663			5,924
Members' equity		(1,022	)		(1,090	)
Total liabilities and members' equity		3,641			4,834

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019		2018

Operating revenue		37,101		43,532		47,165
Operating expenses		29,673		34,224		37,090
Net income		7,428		9,308		10,075

Company's 50% share		3,714		4,654		5,038
Less amortization of intangible assets		209		418		418
Equity in earnings of TNI		3,505		4,236		4,620

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

ASSETS
Current assets		10,113		8,796
Investments and other assets		29,952		31,134
Total assets		40,065		39,930

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities		8,540		5,912
Other liabilities		5,862		6,064
Stockholders' equity		25,663		27,954
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		40,065		39,930

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019		2018

Operating revenue		48,056			56,790		59,670
Operating expenses, excluding restructuring costs, depreciation and amortization		46,845			48,121		49,598
Restructuring costs		274			355		383
Depreciation and amortization		697			1,018		1,149
Operating income		240			7,296		8,540
Net income		(204	)		5,770		9,257
Equity in earnings of MNI		(102	)		2,885		4,629

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Goodwill, gross amount		1,539,038			1,534,905
Accumulated impairment losses		(1,288,729	)		(1,288,729	)
Goodwill, beginning of year		250,309			246,176
Goodwill acquired in business combinations		78,136			4,133
Goodwill, end of year		328,445			250,309

Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

Non-amortized intangible assets:
Mastheads	40,459		21,883
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer and newspaper subscriber lists	774,604		697,145
Less accumulated amortization	632,457		611,786
		142,147		85,359
Non-compete and consulting agreements	28,656		28,675
Less accumulated amortization	28,582		28,524
		74		151
		182,680		107,393

Asset Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019		2018

Continuing operations:
Non-amortized intangible assets		972		—		—
Property, equipment and other assets		—		—		267
		972		—		267

Note 6 - Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

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

						Interest Rates (%)
	September 27		September 29			September 27
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019			2020

Term Loan		538,290		—			9.00
Revolving Facility		—		—			—
1st Lien Term Loan		—		—			—
Notes		—		363,420			—
2nd Lien Term Loan		—		80,207			—
		538,290		443,627
Unamortized debt issue costs		—		(11,282	)
Less current maturities of long-term debt		13,733		2,954
Total long-term debt		524,557		429,391

- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

+ Details

Note 7 - Pension Plans (Tables) - Pension Plan [Member]

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019			2018

Service cost for benefits earned during the year		1,361			36			48
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		7,577			6,563			5,754
Expected return on plan assets		(12,986	)		(8,073	)		(7,933	)
Amortization of net loss		3,166			1,135			2,025
Amortization of prior service benefit		(6	)		(100	)		(136	)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)		(888	)		(439	)		(242	)

Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Benefit obligation, beginning of year		192,369			176,531
Business combination		195,834			—
Service cost		1,361			36
Interest cost		7,577			6,563
Actuarial loss (gain)		20,525			20,687
Benefits paid		(16,246	)		(11,448	)
Administrative expenses paid		(39	)		—
Benefit obligation, end of year		401,381			192,369
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:		146,999			151,255
Business combination		152,331			—
Actual return on plan assets		44,933			8,705
Benefits paid		(16,246	)		(11,448	)
Administrative expenses paid		(2,794	)		(2,163	)
Employer contributions		6,131			650
Fair value of plan assets, end of year		331,354			146,999
Funded status		(70,027	)		(45,370	)

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Pension obligations		(70,027	)		(45,370	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before income taxes)		(41,344	)		(53,066	)

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Unrecognized net actuarial loss	(41,344		)	(53,072		)
Unrecognized prior service benefit	-			6
		(41,344	)		(53,066	)

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	September 27	September 29
(Percent)	2020	2019

Discount rate	2.8	3.1

(Percent)	2020	2019	2018

Discount rate - service cost	3.3	4.2	3.7
Discount rate - interest cost	2.6	3.9	3.1
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.0	5.5	5.5

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

(Percent)	Policy Allocation		Actual Allocation
	September 27	September 27		September 29
Asset Class	2020	2020		2019

Equity securities	50	48		49
Debt securities	35	33		34
TIPS	5	5		5
Hedge fund investments	10	10		10
Cash and cash equivalents	—	4		2

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents	—	17,287	—	—
Domestic equity securities	5,500	151,584	60,333	—
International equity securities	—	6,893	7,396	—
Emerging equity securities	—	7,225	—	—
TIPS	—	6,967	—	—
Debt securities	—	22,253	32,167	—
Hedge fund investments	15,977	—	—	—

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents		—		2,970		—		—
Domestic equity securities		9,524		8,971		40,593		—
International equity securities		—		6,525		7,283		—
TIPS		—		6,918		—		—
Debt securities		—		26,392		24,190		—
Hedge fund investments		15,733		—		—		—

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)

2021		22,881
2022		22,385
2023		22,548
2024		22,630
2025		22,511
2026-2030		109,885

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

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

	September 27	September 29
(Percent)	2020	2019

Health care cost trend rates	6.4	8.5
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	2030	2027

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

	One Percentage Point
(Thousands of Dollars)	Increase		Decrease

Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit		454		(344	)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation		6,524		(5,216	)

Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]

Notes Tables

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019			2018

Service cost for benefits earned during the year		500			—			—
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		869			412			365
Expected return on plan assets		(1,060	)		(1,082	)		(1,080	)
Amortization of net actuarial gain		(743	)		(976	)		(984	)
Amortization of prior service benefit		(647	)		(723	)		(785	)
Curtailment gains		—			—			(2,031	)
Net periodic postretirement benefit		(1,081	)		(2,369	)		(4,515	)

Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Benefit obligation, beginning of year		11,752			11,756
Business combination		36,800			—
Service cost		500			—
Interest cost		869			412
Actuarial loss (gain)		(982	)		1,033
Benefits paid, net of premiums received		(1,374	)		(1,507	)
Medicare Part D subsidies		72			58
Benefit obligation, end of year		47,637			11,752
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year		24,135			24,647
Business combination		—			—
Actual return on plan assets		1,594			2,097
Employer contributions		646			222
Benefits paid, net of premiums and Medicare Part D subsidies received		(1,077	)		(1,449	)
Benefits paid for active employees		(438	)		(1,382	)
One time asset transfer		846
Fair value of plan assets at measurement date		25,706			24,135
Funded status		(21,931	)		12,383

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Non-current assets		15,241			12,383
Postretirement benefit obligations		(37,172	)		—
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before income tax benefit)		14,269			14,818

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

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

Unrecognized net actuarial gain	4,826		4,970
Unrecognized prior service benefit	9,443		9,848
		14,269		14,818

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	September 27	September 29
(Percent)	2020	2019

Discount rate	2.7	2.8
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5

(Percent)	2020	2019	2018

Discount rate - service cost	3.4	4.0	3.4
Discount rate - interest cost	2.8	3.7	2.8
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.5	4.5	4.5

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

(Percent)	Policy Allocation	Actual Allocation
		September 27	September 29
Asset Class	September 27 2020	2020	2019

Equity securities	20	20	18
Debt securities	70	70	68
Hedge fund investment	10	10	14
Cash and cash equivalents	—	—	—

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents	—	59	—	—
Domestic equity securities	590	2,868	—	—
Emerging equity securities	—	539	—	—
International equity securities	—	579	759	—
Debt securities	—	18,229	—	—
Hedge fund investment	2,754	—	—	—

(Thousands of Dollars)	NAV		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Cash and cash equivalents		—		—		—		—
Domestic equity securities		778		2,640		—		—
International equity securities		—		628		750		—
Debt securities		—		17,707		—		—
Hedge fund investment		3,587		—		—		—

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]

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

2021		2,339		(57	)		2,282
2022		2,332		(54	)		2,278
2023		2,328		(51	)		2,277
2024		2,304		(48	)		2,256
2025		2,269		(44	)		2,225
2026-2030		10,908		(166	)		10,742

Note 9 - Other Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Multiemployer Plan [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)

Zone Status September 30

Funding Improvement Plan/Rehabilitation Plan Status

Contributions

Expiration Dates of

Pension Plan

2020

2019

Status

2020

2019

2018

Surcharge Imposed

CBAs

GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund

Red

Implemented

107

3/24/2022

District No. 9, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Pension Trust

Green

N/A

2/28/2021

CWA/ITU negotiated Pension Plan

Red

N/A

456

—

6/10/2022

1/13/2022

IAM National Pension Fund

Green

N/A

—

N/A

4/18/2021

12/19/2020

Operating Engineers Central Pension Fund of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Participating Employers

Green

N/A

—

N/A

12/16/2020

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information about multiemployer plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (e)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35742348&loc=SL14450788-114948

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450691-114947

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (e)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450691-114947

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877416&loc=SL14450657-114947

+ Details

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Shares)	2020			2019			2018

Under option, beginning of year		809			1,100			1,271
Exercised		—			(93	)		(131	)
Canceled		(396	)		(198	)		(40	)
Under option, end of year		413			809			1,100
Exercisable, end of year		413			809			1,100

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

(Dollars)	2020	2019	2018

Exercised	—	2.06	1.42
Cancelled	2.53	2.08	2.49
Under option, end of year	1.14	1.82	1.88

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]

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

1 - 2	412	1.7	1.14	412	1.14
2 - 3	—	—	—	—	—
	412	1.7	1.14	412	1.14

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Shares)	2020			2019			2018

Outstanding, beginning of year		1,477			2,059			2,478
Granted		720			788			587
Vested		(605	)		(1,337	)		(936	)
Forfeited		(42	)		(33	)		(70	)
Outstanding, end of year		1,550			1,477			2,059

(Dollars)	2020	2019	2018

Outstanding, beginning of year	2.49	2.31	2.69
Granted	1.62	2.18	2.33
Vested	2.34	2.03	3.31
Forfeited	2.44	2.13	2.85
Outstanding, end of year	2.15	2.49	2.31

Note 12 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019			2018

Current:
Federal	8,779			8,763			275
State	(11		)	1,171			875
Deferred	(4,665		)	(2,003		)	(17,378		)
		4,104			7,931			(16,228	)

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

(Percent of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes)	2020			2019			2018

Computed “expected” income tax expense (benefit)	21.0			21.0			24.7
State income tax expense, net of federal tax impact	21.7			1.3			2.6
Net income of associated companies taxed at dividend rates	(18.3		)	(3.9		)	(5.1		)
Resolution of tax matters	(30.5		)	1.7			(8.4		)
Remeasurement due to rate changes	24.0			—			—
Non-deductible expenses	19.4			3.4			2.9
Valuation allowance	110.0			10.8			9.9
Warrant valuation	(7.3		)	(0.6		)	0.2
Revaluation of deferred income taxes due to law charges	—			—			(79.1		)
Other	4.4			(0.4		)	(0.4		)
		144.4			33.3			(52.7	)

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

	September 27			September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(18,646	)		(14,424	)
Identified intangible assets		(16,765	)		(15,358	)
ASC 842 - Leases DTL		(18,669	)		—
Investments		(6,154	)		(3,164	)
		(60,234	)		(32,946	)
Deferred income tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts		1,733			1,279
Pension and postretirement benefits		7,075			2,048
Long-term debt		350			(9,219	)
Interest deduction limitation		5,383			4,255
Operating loss carryforwards		28,240			41,610
ASC 842 - Leases DTA		18,675			—
Accrued compensation		13,142			1,810
Accrued expenses		1,673			426
Other		430			844
		76,701			43,053
Valuation allowance		(31,675	)		(39,913	)
Net deferred income tax liabilities		(15,208	)		(29,806	)

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019

Balance, beginning of year		18,252			16,104
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years		(331	)		33
Increases in tax positions for the current year		9,825			2,472
Lapse in statute of limitations		(738	)		(357	)
Balance, end of year		27,008			18,252

Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]

	2020		2019		2018

Volatility (Percent)		84		48		31
Risk-free interest rate (Percent)		0.12		1.58		2.91
Expected term (Years)		1.5		2.5		3.5
Estimated fair value (Dollars)		0.06		0.20		0.3

Note 14 - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

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

(Thousands of Dollars and Shares, Except Per Common Share Data)	2020			2019			2018

Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:		(3,106	)		14,268			45,766

Weighted average Common Stock		58,105			57,648			57,009
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock		(1,536	)		(2,083	)		(2,307	)
Basic average Common Stock		56,569			55,565			54,702
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock		367			1,319			1,246
Diluted average Common Stock		56,936			56,884			55,948
Earnings per common share:
Basic:		(0.05	)		0.26			0.84
Diluted		(0.05	)		0.25			0.82

Note 15 - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020			2019			2018

Balance, beginning of year		6,434			4,806			4,796
Additions charged to expense		8,607			2,751			1,952
Deductions from reserves		(1,610	)		(1,123	)		(1,942	)
Balance, end of year		13,431			6,434			4,806

Note 16 - Other Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	September 27		September 29
(Thousands of Dollars)	2020		2019

Compensation	16,915		9,170
Retirement plans	2,317		2,637
Other	25,046		5,904
		44,278		17,711

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

(Thousands of Dollars)	2020	2019	2018

Interest	49,518	47,555	52,180
Debt financing and reorganization costs	707	1,773	437
Income tax payments, net	446	8,439	464

Note 18 - Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]


(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020
Operating lease costs		10,148
Variable lease costs		1,911
Short-term lease costs		426
Total Operating Lease Expense		12,485


(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash outflow from operating leases		10,003
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities		1,630

	September 27, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)		8.64
Weighted Average discount rate		8.24	%

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]


(Thousands of Dollars)	September 27, 2020
2021		14,438
2022		12,103
2023		11,213
2024		10,538
2025		9,763
Thereafter		41,390
Total lease payments		99,445
Less: interest		(28,494)
Present value of lease liabilities		70,951

Note 19 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Notes Tables

Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

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

2020

Operating revenue		122,343		121,367			182,528			191,766

Net income (loss)		5,717		(4,990	)		(727	)		(1,261	)

Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated		5,320		(5,367	)		(1,275	)		(1,784	)

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic		0.09		(0.09	)		(0.02	)		(0.03	)
Diluted		0.09		(0.09	)		(0.02	)		(0.03	)

2019

Operating revenue		136,201		122,704			127,284			123,665

Net income (loss)		10,719		(2,327	)		6,172			1,345

Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated		10,361		(2,678	)		5,766			819

Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic		0.19		(0.05	)		0.10			0.01
Diluted		0.18		(0.05	)		0.10			0.01

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 16, 2020

Sep. 27, 2020

Jan. 29, 2020

^[1]

Sep. 29, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Feb. 28, 2018

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total

$ (20,050,000)

$ (29,114,000)

$ (3,067,000)

Inventory, LIFO Reserve

942,000

1,661,000

Goodwill, Ending Balance

$ 328,445,000

250,309,000

$ 246,176,000

Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding (in shares)

6,000,000

Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset

$ 56,226,000

$ 70,933,000

Operating Lease, Liability, Current

8,577,000

Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent

62,374,000

$ 0

Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]

Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset

10,709,000

Operating Lease, Liability, Current

2,281,000

Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent

8,353,000

Uninsured Risk [Member]

Loss Contingency Accrual, Ending Balance

$ 3,905,000

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

1 year

Maximum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)

4 years

BHMG [Member]

Goodwill, Ending Balance

$ 78,136,000

$ 63,559,000

Leasehold Improvements [Member] | BHMG [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life (Year)

3 years

Leasehold Improvements [Member] | BHMG [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life (Year)

9 years

TNI Partners [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

50.00%

Goodwill, Ending Balance

$ 12,366,000

MNI [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

50.00%

INN Partners, L.C. [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

82.50%

[1]	As previously reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 2020.

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
LIFO inventory	$ 1,222	$ 1,296
Specific identification	2,954	0
Inventories	7,534	3,769
Newsprint [Member]
FIFO inventory	564	1,498
Other Inventory [Member]
FIFO inventory	$ 2,794	$ 975

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020
Building Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)	4 years
Building Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)	40 years
Printing Press and Insertion Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)	5 years
Printing Press and Insertion Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)	28 years
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)	3 years
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)	17 years

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets Amortization Period (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020
Minimum [Member] \| Customer Lists [Member]
Intangible Assets, useful life (Year)	10 years
Minimum [Member] \| Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member]
Intangible Assets, useful life (Year)	10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Customer Lists [Member]
Intangible Assets, useful life (Year)	23 years
Maximum [Member] \| Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member]
Intangible Assets, useful life (Year)	33 years

Note 2 - Acquisitions (Details Textual)			3 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Note 2 - Acquisitions (Details Textual)	Mar. 16, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 29, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Number of Real Estate Properties	68
Operating Lease, Annual Rent Payable	$ 8,000,000
Operating Lease, Percentage of Net Sales Proceeds	8.00%
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 56,226,000		$ 70,933,000				$ 0				$ 70,933,000	$ 70,933,000	$ 70,933,000	$ 0
Operating Lease, Liability, Total			70,951,000								70,951,000	70,951,000	70,951,000
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax			191,766,000	$ 182,528,000	$ 121,367,000	$ 122,343,000	123,665,000	$ 127,284,000	$ 122,704,000	$ 136,201,000			618,004,000	509,854,000	$ 543,955,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total			(1,784,000)	$ (1,275,000)	$ (5,367,000)	$ 5,320,000	$ 819,000	$ 5,766,000	$ (2,678,000)	$ 10,361,000			(3,106,000)	14,268,000	$ 45,766,000
BHMG [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	140,000,000	$ 140,000,000
Business Combination, Termination of Contract, Expected Credits	5,425,000
Business Combination, Termination of Contract, Expected Credit, Estimated Pro-rated Fixed Portion	1,245,000
Business Combination, Termination of Contract, Expected Credit, Estimated Pro-rated Variable Portion	4,180,000
Contract with Customer, Asset, Increase (Decrease) for Contract Acquired in Business Combination	3,589,000
Operating Lease, Liability, Total	$ 56,226,000
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax			200,751,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total			13,166,000
Interest Expense, Net Of Tax			$ 4,744,000
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Other Current Assets											(1,800,000)
BHMG [Member] \| Acquisition-related Costs [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total													$ 8,973,000	$ (7,693,000)
BHMG [Member] \| Advertiser Relationships [Member]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles												(10,820,000)
BHMG [Member] \| Advertiser Relationships [Member] \| Revision of Prior Period, Adjustment [Member]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles											(10,820,000)
BHMG [Member] \| Subscriber Relationships [Member]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles												$ (7,860,000)
BHMG [Member] \| Subscriber Relationships [Member] \| Revision of Prior Period, Adjustment [Member]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles											$ (7,860,000)

Note 2 - Acquisitions - Preliminary Determination of Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jan. 29, 2020

^[1]

Sep. 27, 2020

Sep. 29, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Mar. 16, 2020

Goodwill

$ 328,445,000

$ 250,309,000

$ 246,176,000

Total consideration less acquired cash

130,985,000

$ 6,543,000

$ (0)

BHMG [Member]

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 22,293,000

22,293,000

Current assets

52,559,000

51,673,000

Current assets, adjustment

(886,000)

Other assets

12,167,000

15,710,000

Other assets, adjustment

3,543,000

Property and equipment

42,952,000

42,985,000

Property and equipment, adjustment

33,000

Operating lease assets

7,445,000

7,546,000

Operating lease assets, adjustment

101,000

Goodwill

63,559,000

78,136,000

Goodwill, adjustment

14,577,000

Total assets

314,625,000

314,473,000

Total assets, adjustment

(152,000)

Current liabilities assumed

(73,451,000)

(72,377,000)

Current liabilities assumed, adjustment

1,074,000

Operating lease liabilities

(6,625)

(7,546,000)

Operating lease liabilities, adjustment

(921,000)

Other liabilities assumed

(2,246,000)

Pension obligations

(43,503,000)

Postemployment benefit obligations

(36,800,000)

Total liabilities

(162,625,000)

(162,473,000)

Total liabilities, adjustment

152,000

Net assets

152,000,000

Less: acquired cash

(22,293,000)

Total consideration less acquired cash

129,707,000

BHMG [Member] | Mastheads [Member]

Relationship, adjustment

(1,290,000)

Mastheads

21,680,000

20,390,000

BHMG [Member] | Advertiser Relationships [Member]

Relationships

38,780,000

27,960,000

$ 27,960,000

Relationship, adjustment

(10,820,000)

BHMG [Member] | Subscriber Relationships [Member]

Relationships

36,060,000

28,200,000

Relationship, adjustment

(7,860,000)

BHMG [Member] | Commercial Print Relationships [Member]

Relationships

$ 17,130,000

19,580,000

$ 19,580,000

Relationship, adjustment

$ 2,450,000

[1]	As previously reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 2020.

Note 2 - Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) - BHMG [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Total revenues	$ 821,793	$ 973,143
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 17,632	$ 20,715
Earnings per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.36

Note 3 - Revenue (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Note 3 - Revenue (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 24, 2017
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	$ 60,271,000	$ 21,720,000
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	21,549,000
Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total	0	1,107,000
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss	66,029,000	47,863,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Ending Balance	$ 13,431,000	$ 6,434,000	$ 4,806,000	$ 4,796,000

Note 3 - Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Jun. 28, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Total operating revenue	$ 191,766	$ 182,528	$ 121,367	$ 122,343	$ 123,665	$ 127,284	$ 122,704	$ 136,201	$ 618,004	$ 509,854	$ 543,955
Advertising and Marketing Services [Member]
Total operating revenue									289,655	265,933	303,446
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
Total operating revenue									265,939	186,691	195,108
Digital Services Revenues [Member]
Total operating revenue									20,478	19,637	16,328
Other Revenues [Member]
Total operating revenue									$ 41,932	$ 37,593	$ 29,073

- Definition

Amount, including tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value-added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130545-203045

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130543-203045

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 924
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.L)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472922&loc=d3e499488-122856

+ Details

Note 4 - Investments in Associated Companies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investments	$ 27,624,000	$ 28,742,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	328,445,000	250,309,000	$ 246,176,000
MNI [Member]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution	1,300,000	3,350,000	3,400,000
Equity Method Investments	12,600,000
Editorial Service Fees	6,152,000	6,636,000	6,718,000
TNI Partners [Member]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution	$ 3,176,000	$ 4,245,000	$ 5,814,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%
Equity Method Investments	$ 15,069,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	12,366,000
Other Intangible Assets, Net	$ 3,090,000
MNI [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%

Note 4 - Investments in Associated Companies - Summarized Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Jun. 28, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Current assets	$ 108,753,000				$ 60,303,000				$ 108,753,000	$ 60,303,000
Total assets	864,057,000				555,202,000				864,057,000	555,202,000
Total liabilities	893,690,000				592,033,000				893,690,000	592,033,000
Members' equity	(31,564,000)				(38,484,000)				(31,564,000)	(38,484,000)	$ (37,354,000)
Total liabilities and members' equity	864,057,000				555,202,000				864,057,000	555,202,000
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	191,766,000	$ 182,528,000	$ 121,367,000	$ 122,343,000	123,665,000	$ 127,284,000	$ 122,704,000	$ 136,201,000	618,004,000	509,854,000	543,955,000
Operating expenses									571,129,000	442,246,000	467,511,000
Net income	(1,784,000)	(1,275,000)	(5,367,000)	5,320,000	819,000	5,766,000	(2,678,000)	10,361,000	(3,106,000)	14,268,000	45,766,000
Equity in earnings									3,403,000	7,121,000	9,249,000
Current liabilities	144,022,000				61,038,000				144,022,000	61,038,000
Restructuring Charges, Total									13,751,000	11,635,000	5,550,000
Depreciation and amortization									36,133,000	29,332,000	31,766,000
Operating income									50,278,000	74,729,000	85,693,000
Net (loss) income	(1,261,000)	$ (727,000)	$ (4,990,000)	$ 5,717,000	1,345,000	$ 6,172,000	$ (2,327,000)	$ 10,719,000	(1,261,000)	15,909,000	47,048,000
TNI Partners [Member]
Current assets	2,643,000				3,484,000				2,643,000	3,484,000
Investments and other assets	998,000				1,350,000				998,000	1,350,000
Total assets	3,641,000				4,834,000				3,641,000	4,834,000
Total liabilities	4,663,000				5,924,000				4,663,000	5,924,000
Members' equity	(1,022,000)				(1,090,000)				(1,022,000)	(1,090,000)
Total liabilities and members' equity	3,641,000				4,834,000				3,641,000	4,834,000
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax									37,101,000	43,532,000	47,165,000
Operating expenses									29,673,000	34,224,000	37,090,000
Net income									7,428,000	9,308,000	10,075,000
Company's 50% share									3,714,000	4,654,000	5,038,000
Less amortization of intangible assets									209,000	418,000	418,000
Equity in earnings									3,505,000	4,236,000	4,620,000
Madison Newspapers, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax									48,056,000	56,790,000	59,670,000
Operating expenses									46,845,000	48,121,000	49,598,000
Equity in earnings									(102,000)	2,885,000	4,629,000
Restructuring Charges, Total									274,000	355,000	383,000
Depreciation and amortization									697,000	1,018,000	1,149,000
Operating income									240,000	7,296,000	8,540,000
Net (loss) income									(204,000)	5,770,000	$ 9,257,000
MNI [Member]
Current assets	10,113,000				8,796,000				10,113,000	8,796,000
Investments and other assets	29,952,000				31,134,000				29,952,000	31,134,000
Total assets	40,065,000				39,930,000				40,065,000	39,930,000
Members' equity	25,663,000				27,954,000				25,663,000	27,954,000
Total liabilities and members' equity	40,065,000				39,930,000				40,065,000	39,930,000
Current liabilities	8,540,000				5,912,000				8,540,000	5,912,000
Other liabilities	$ 5,862,000				$ 6,064,000				$ 5,862,000	$ 6,064,000

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details Textual) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2020

Sep. 29, 2019

Mar. 16, 2020

Jan. 29, 2020

^[1]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Rolling Twelve Months

$ 22,617,000

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Two

20,451,000

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Three

19,654,000

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Four

17,920,000

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Five

$ 12,897,000

Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life (Year)

10 years 6 months

Goodwill, Acquired During Period

$ 78,136,000

$ 4,133,000

Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount

41,734,000

BHMG [Member] | Advertiser Relationships [Member]

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles

27,960,000

$ 27,960,000

$ 38,780,000

BHMG [Member] | Subscriber Relationships [Member]

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles

28,200,000

36,060,000

BHMG [Member] | Commercial Print Relationships [Member]

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles

$ 19,580,000

19,580,000

$ 17,130,000

BHMG [Member] | Mastheads [Member]

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

$ 20,390,000

[1]	As previously reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 2020.

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Goodwill, gross amount	$ 1,539,038,000	$ 1,534,905,000
Accumulated impairment losses	(1,288,729,000)	(1,288,729,000)
Goodwill	250,309,000	246,176,000
Goodwill acquired in business combinations	78,136,000	4,133,000
Goodwill	$ 328,445,000	$ 250,309,000

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Identified Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Mastheads	$ 40,459	$ 21,883
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total	182,680	107,393
Customer and Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets, gross	774,604	697,145
Less accumulated amortization	632,457	611,786
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Ending Balance	142,147	85,359
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets, gross	28,656	28,675
Less accumulated amortization	28,582	28,524
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Ending Balance	$ 74	$ 151

Note 5 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Pretax Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Non-amortized intangible assets	$ 972	$ 0	$ 0
Property, equipment and other assets	0	0	267
Asset Impairment Charges, Total	$ 972	$ 0	$ 267

Note 6 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			15 Months Ended
Note 6 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2020	Jan. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 27, 2020
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 431,502,000			$ 443,627,000	$ 538,290,000	$ 443,627,000
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	9,583,000				$ 11,282,000	5,773,100	$ 4,769,000
Weighted Average Cost of Debt, Excluding Amortization of Debt Financing Costs					9.00%
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total					$ 443,627,000	41,832,000	$ 73,526,000
Increase in Debt Financing and Other Costs				1,309,000
Increase (Decrease) in Long-term Debt, Unamortized Debt Financing Costs				1,309,000
Liquidity					33,733,000
Future Liquidity Warrant Exercise Proceeds					25,140,000
Warrants Issued in Connection with Second Lien Term Loan [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)			6,000,000
Warrants, When Fully Exercised, Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding			10.10%
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share)			$ 4.19
Warrants and Rights Outstanding			$ 16,930,000
Forecast [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total								$ 13,733,000
Refinancing 2020 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					37,710,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total					1,000,000
BHMG [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 140,000,000	$ 140,000,000
Credit Agreement [Member] \| Secured Term Loan [Member] \| BH Finance [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term (Year)	25 years
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 576,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	9.00%
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross	$ 417,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Percent of Net Cash Proceeds of Property in Excess of $500,000 in 90 Days	100.00%
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Excess Cash Flow, Period After Quarter End (Day)	50 days
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Change of Control, Repayment Percentage	105.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 538,290,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			9.50%		0.00%
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 363,420,000	$ 0	$ 363,420,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross			$ 37,819,000
Second Lien Credit Faclity [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			12.00%
Senior Secured Notes and 2nd Lien Term Loan [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total	$ 0

Note 6 - Debt - Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Mar. 16, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-term debt, gross	$ 538,290,000	$ 431,502,000	$ 443,627,000
Interest rate
Unamortized debt issue costs	$ 0		(11,282,000)
Less current maturities of long-term debt	13,733,000		2,954,000
Total long-term debt	524,557,000		429,391,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 0		0
Interest rate	0.00%
Term Loan [Member]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 538,290,000		0
Interest rate	9.00%
First Lien Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 0		0
Interest rate	0.00%
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 0		363,420,000
Interest rate	0.00%			9.50%
Second Lien Term Loan [Member]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 0		$ 80,207,000
Interest rate	0.00%

Note 7 - Pension Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Note 7 - Pension Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities [Member] \| Buffalo Subsidiaries [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets Excluded from Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	92.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Security [Member] \| Buffalo Subsidiaries [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets Excluded from Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	2.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Buffalo Subsidiaries [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets Excluded from Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage	6.00%
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Gain (Loss), Next Fiscal Year	$ (4,018,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation	401,381,000	$ 192,369,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	401,381,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Plan Assets	$ 331,354,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets	6.00%	5.50%	5.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	$ 3,190,000
Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent, Total	70,027,000	$ 45,370,000
Pension Plan [Member] \| U.S. Small Cap Value Equity Common/Collective Fund [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	5,500,000	9,524,000
Pension Plan [Member] \| Global Equity Long/Short Common/Collective Hedge Fund-of-funds [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	7,096,000	7,923,000
Pension Plan [Member] \| Global Equity Long/Short Common/Collective Hedge Fund-of-funds 2 [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	8,881,000	7,810,000
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase for Purchase	0	0
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent, Total	$ 1,483,000	$ 1,667,000

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$ 1,361	$ 36	$ 48
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	7,577	6,563	5,754
Expected return on plan assets	(12,986)	(8,073)	(7,933)
Amortization of net loss	3,166	1,135	2,025
Amortization of prior service benefit	(6)	(100)	(136)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$ (888)	$ (439)	$ (242)

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$ 192,369	$ 176,531
Business combination	195,834	0
Service cost	1,361	36	$ 48
Interest cost	7,577	6,563	5,754
Actuarial loss (gain)	20,525	20,687
Benefits paid	(16,246)	(11,448)
Administrative expenses paid	(39)	0
Benefit obligation, end of year	401,381	192,369	176,531
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:	146,999	151,255
Business combination	152,331	0
Actual return on plan assets	44,933	8,705
Benefits paid	(16,246)	(11,448)
Administrative expenses paid	(2,794)	(2,163)
Employer contributions	6,131	650
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	331,354	146,999	$ 151,255
Funded status	$ (70,027)	$ (45,370)

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Pension obligations	$ 70,027	$ 45,370
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before income taxes)	$ (41,344)	$ (53,066)

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$ (41,344)	$ (53,072)
Unrecognized prior service benefit	0	6
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax, Total	$ (41,344)	$ (53,066)

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Assumptions (Details) - Pension Plan [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Discount rate	2.80%	3.10%
Discount rate - service cost	3.30%	4.20%	3.70%
Discount rate - interest cost	2.60%	3.90%	3.10%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.00%	5.50%	5.50%

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Allocation of Benefit Plan Assets (Details) - Pension Plan [Member]	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	50.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	48.00%	49.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Security [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	35.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	33.00%	34.00%
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	5.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	5.00%	5.00%
Hedge Funds [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	10.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	10.00%	10.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	0.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	4.00%	2.00%

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Fair Value Hierarchy of Benefit Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member]
Hedge fund investments	$ 15,977
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Hedge fund investments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Hedge fund investments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Hedge fund investments	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	$ 0
Debt securities	0	0
Hedge fund investments		15,733
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	5,500	9,524
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	17,287	2,970
Debt securities	22,253	26,392
Hedge fund investments		0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	151,584	8,971
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	6,893	6,525
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	7,225
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	6,967	6,918
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Debt securities	32,167	24,190
Hedge fund investments		0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	60,333	40,593
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	7,396	7,283
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Debt securities	0	0
Hedge fund investments		0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Pension Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	$ 0	$ 0

Note 7 - Pension Plans - Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)
2021	$ 22,881
2022	22,385
2023	22,548
2024	22,630
2025	22,511
2026-2030	$ 109,885

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2020	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment			$ 2,031,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Curtailment				$ (7,036,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Settlement and Curtailment Gain (Loss), before Tax			(106,000)
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan		$ 15,912,000	$ 14,338,000
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] \| Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment	$ 23,800,000
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Gain (Loss), Next Fiscal Year		687,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Next Fiscal Year		$ 647,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets		4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan		$ 15,241,000	$ 12,383,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance		47,637,000	11,752,000	$ 11,756,000
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| U.S. Small Cap Value Equity Common/Collective Fund [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI		590,000	778,000
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Global Equity Long/Short Common/Collective Hedge Fund-of-funds [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI		2,754,000	3,587,000
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase (Decrease) for Assets Transferred into (out of) Level 3		0	0
Master Trust Assets for the Retiree Medical Plan [Member]
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan		671,000	1,955,000
Postemployment Retirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment		(0)	(0)	$ 2,031,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance		$ 2,371,000	$ 2,550,000

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Net Period Postretirement Cost (Benefit) Components for Postretirement Plans (Details) - Postemployment Retirement Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Service cost for benefits earned during the year	$ 500	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	869	412	365
Expected return on plan assets	(1,060)	(1,082)	(1,080)
Amortization of net loss	(743)	(976)	(984)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(647)	(723)	(785)
Curtailment gains	0	0	(2,031)
Net periodic postretirement benefit	$ (1,081)	$ (2,369)	$ (4,515)

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$ 11,752	$ 11,756
Business combination	36,800	0
Service cost	500	0
Interest cost	869	412
Actuarial loss (gain)	(982)	1,033
Benefits paid, net of premiums received	(1,374)	(1,507)
Medicare Part D subsidies	72	58
Benefit obligation, end of year	47,637	11,752
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:	24,135	24,647
Business combination	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	1,594	2,097
Employer contributions	646	222
Benefits paid, net of premiums and Medicare Part D subsidies received	(1,077)	(1,449)
Benefits paid for active employees	(438)	(1,382)
One time asset transfer	846
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	25,706	24,135
Funded status	$ (21,931)	$ 12,383

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan	$ 15,241	$ 12,383
Postretirement benefit obligations	(37,172)	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before income tax benefit)	$ 14,269	$ 14,818

- Definition

Amount of asset, recognized in statement of financial position, for overfunded defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans.

+ References + Details

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Unrecognized net actuarial gain	$ 4,826	$ 4,970
Unrecognized prior service benefit	9,443	9,848
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax, Total	$ 14,269	$ 14,818

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Assumptions (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Discount rate	2.70%	2.80%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.50%	4.50%
Discount rate - service cost	3.40%	4.00%	3.40%
Discount rate - interest cost	2.80%	3.70%	2.80%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Health care cost trend rates	6.40%	8.50%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the “Ultimate Trend Rate”)	4.50%	4.50%
Year in which the rate reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate	2030	2027

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Effect if One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Heath Care Cost Trend Rates (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit, increase	$ 454
Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit, decrease		$ (344)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, increase	$ 6,524
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, decrease		$ (5,216)

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Allocation of Benefit Plan Assets (Details) - Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	20.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	20.00%	18.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Security [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	70.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	70.00%	68.00%
Hedge Funds [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	10.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	10.00%	14.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation	0.00%
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation	0.00%	0.00%

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Fair Value Hierarchy of Benefit Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member]
Hedge fund investments	$ 15,977
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Hedge fund investments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Hedge fund investments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Hedge fund investments	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 0
Debt securities		0
Hedge fund investments		3,587
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI		778
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI		0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Debt securities	0
Hedge fund investments	2,754
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	590
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	59	0
Debt securities	18,229	17,707
Hedge fund investments	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	2,868	2,640
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	539
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	579	628
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Debt securities	0	0
Hedge fund investments	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	759	750
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Debt securities	0	0
Hedge fund investments	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Emerging Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	0
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Equity Securities, FV-NI	$ 0	$ 0

Note 8 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)
2021, gross payments	$ 22,881
2022, gross payments	22,385
2023, gross payments	22,548
2024, gross payments	22,630
2025, gross payments	22,511
2026-2030, gross payments	109,885
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
2021, gross payments	2,339
2021, subsidy	(57)
2021, net payments	2,282
2022, gross payments	2,332
2022, subsidy	(54)
2022, net payments	2,278
2023, gross payments	2,328
2023, subsidy	(51)
2023, net payments	2,277
2024, gross payments	2,304
2024, subsidy	(48)
2024, net payments	2,256
2025, gross payments	2,269
2025, subsidy	(44)
2025, net payments	2,225
2026-2030, gross payments	10,908
2026-2030, subsidy	(166)
2026-2030, net payments	$ 10,742

Note 9 - Other Retirement Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 27, 2020
Employee Benefits and Share-based Compensation	$ 4,141,000	$ 3,849,000	$ 4,430,000
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation	$ 11,473,000	$ 7,359,000
Forecast [Member] \| Buffalo Subsidiaries [Member]
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation				$ 12,300,000
Minimum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Period (Year)	20 years

Note 9 - Other Retirement Plans - Other Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund [Member]
Contribution to multiemployer plan	$ 87	$ 98	$ 107
District No. 9 Pension Trust [Member]
Contribution to multiemployer plan	31	$ 30	$ 29
CWA / ITU Negotiated [Member]
Contribution to multiemployer plan	456
IAM National Pension [Member]
Contribution to multiemployer plan	86
Operating Engineers Central Pension Fund of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Participating Employers [Member]
Contribution to multiemployer plan	$ 52

Note 10 - Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (Details Textual) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2018	Mar. 30, 2017	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01				$ 2.00
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding (in shares)	6,000,000
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 2	$ 2
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance (in shares)						5,600,000
Warrant Agreement [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in shares)				6,000,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding				10.10%
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in dollars per share)				$ 4.19
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding (in shares)	363,000		16,930,000
Second Lien Term Loan [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues (in shares)	6,743,640
Percentage of Outstanding Shares, Pro Forma Basis	13.00%

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 27, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense		$ 1,042,000	$ 1,638,000	$ 1,857,000
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance (in shares)		4,232,000			4,232,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant (in shares)		3,804,000			3,804,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount		$ 1,241,000			$ 1,241,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value		$ 0			$ 0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (Year)		1 year 3 months 18 days
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)					10 years
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount		$ 0			$ 0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)		720,000	788,000	587,000
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Forecast [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)	600,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP, Total (in shares)		270,000			270,000
Supplemental Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP, Total (in shares)		8,700			8,700

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans - Stock Option Activities (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Under option, balance (in shares)	809	1,100	1,271
Exercised (in shares)	0	(93)	(131)
Canceled (in shares)	(396)	(198)	(40)
Under option, balance (in shares)	413	809	1,100
Exercisable, end of year (in shares)	413	809	1,100

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans - Weighted Average Prices of Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 2.06	$ 1.42
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	2.53	2.08	2.49
Under option, end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 1.14	$ 1.82	$ 1.88

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020 $ / shares shares
Number outstanding (in shares) \| shares	412
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Year)	1 year 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 1.14
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	412
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 1.14
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	1
Range of exercise prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 2
Number outstanding (in shares) \| shares	412
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Year)	1 year 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 1.14
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	412
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 1.14
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	2
Range of exercise prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 3
Number outstanding (in shares) \| shares	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 0

Note 11 - Stock Ownership Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Outstanding, shares (in shares)	1,477	2,059	2,478
Granted, shares (in shares)	720	788	587
Vested, shares (in shares)	(605)	(1,337)	(936)
Forfeited, shares (in shares)	(42)	(33)	(70)
Outstanding, shares (in shares)	1,550	1,477	2,059
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 2.49	$ 2.31	$ 2.69
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	1.62	2.18	2.33
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	2.34	2.03	3.31
Forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	2.44	2.13	2.85
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 2.15	$ 2.49	$ 2.31

Note 12 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 12,518,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	1,000,000	$ 848,000
Deferred Tax Asset, Interest Carryforward	5,383,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	28,240,000	41,610,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Related to Net Operating Loss	10,319,000	$ 10,665,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	46,066,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	$ 36,392,000

Note 12 - Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Federal	$ 8,779	$ 8,763	$ 275
State	(11)	1,171	875
Deferred	(4,665)	(2,003)	(17,378)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$ 4,104	$ 7,931	$ (16,228)

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References + Details

Note 12 - Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Continuing Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Computed “expected” income tax expense (benefit)	21.00%	21.00%	24.70%
State income tax expense, net of federal tax impact	21.70%	1.30%	2.60%
Net income of associated companies taxed at dividend rates	(18.30%)	(3.90%)	(5.10%)
Resolution of tax matters	(30.50%)	1.70%	(8.40%)
Remeasurement due to rate changes	24.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Non-deductible expenses	19.40%	3.40%	2.90%
Valuation allowance	110.00%	10.80%	9.90%
Warrant valuation	(7.30%)	(0.60%)	0.20%
Revaluation of deferred income taxes due to law charges	0	0	(0.791)
Other	4.40%	(0.40%)	(0.40%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total	144.40%	33.30%	(52.70%)

Note 12 - Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Property and equipment	$ (18,646)	$ (14,424)
Identified intangible assets	(16,765)	(15,358)
ASC 842 - Leases DTL	(18,669)	0
Investments	(6,154)	(3,164)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross, Total	(60,234)	(32,946)
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,733	1,279
Pension and postretirement benefits	7,075	2,048
Long-term debt	350	(9,219)
Interest deduction limitation	5,383	4,255
Operating loss carryforwards	28,240	41,610
ASC 842 - Leases DTA	18,675	0
Accrued compensation	13,142	1,810
Accrued expenses	1,673	426
Other	430	844
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	76,701	43,053
Valuation allowance	(31,675)	(39,913)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$ (15,208)	$ (29,806)

Note 12 - Income Taxes - Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Unrecognized tax benefits, balance	$ 18,252	$ 16,104
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years	(331)
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years		33
Increases in tax positions for the current year	9,825	2,472
Lapse in statute of limitations	(738)	(357)
Unrecognized tax benefits, balance	$ 27,008	$ 18,252

Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants	$ 832,000	$ 612,000	$ 226,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 538,290,000
TCT [Member]
Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Ownership Percentage of Voting Common Stock	0.70%
Ownership Percentage of Total Common Stock	8.70%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure, Total	$ 4,226,000
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount	$ 702,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| TCT and Private Equity Investment [Member]
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Percent	16.70%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Warrants and Rights Outstanding	$ 363,000	$ 1,195,000	$ 1,807,000	$ 16,930,000

Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimate Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)	Sep. 27, 2020 $ / shares yr	Sep. 29, 2019 $ / shares yr	Sep. 30, 2018 $ / shares yr
Measurement Input, Price Volatility [Member]
Warrant and rights, measurement input	0.84	0.48	0.31
Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]
Warrant and rights, measurement input	0.0012	0.0158	0.0291
Measurement Input, Expected Term [Member]
Warrant and rights, measurement input \| yr	1.5	2.5	3.5
Measurement Input, Share Price [Member]
Warrant and rights, measurement input \| $ / shares	0.06	0.20	0.3

Note 14 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details Textual) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in shares)	6,000,000	6,384,000	7,206,000

Note 14 - Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Jun. 28, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ (1,784)	$ (1,275)	$ (5,367)	$ 5,320	$ 819	$ 5,766	$ (2,678)	$ 10,361	$ (3,106)	$ 14,268	$ 45,766
Weighted average Common Stock (in shares)									58,105	57,648	57,009
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock (in shares)									(1,536)	(2,083)	(2,307)
Basic average Common Stock (in shares)									56,569	55,565	54,702
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)									367	1,319	1,246
Diluted average Common Stock (in shares)									56,936	56,884	55,948
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.09	$ 0.01	$ 0.10	$ (0.05)	$ 0.19	$ (0.05)	$ 0.26	$ 0.84
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.09	$ 0.01	$ 0.10	$ (0.05)	$ 0.18	$ (0.05)	$ 0.25	$ 0.82

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=d3e1448-109256

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22595-107794

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=d3e1337-109256

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120380238&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(23))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120380238&loc=d3e3842-109258

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22644-107794

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(25))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 60B
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=SL5780133-109256

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(27))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399700&loc=SL114874048-224260

+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120380238&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22644-107794

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120380238&loc=d3e3842-109258

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22595-107794

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 60B
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=SL5780133-109256

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(27))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399700&loc=SL114874048-224260

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(23))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=d3e1337-109256

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(25))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399700&loc=SL114874048-224260

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721683-107760

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22595-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=SL7669625-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 11: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(18))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 12: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(20))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 13: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22663-107794

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75031198&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(g)(1)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 60B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121326447&loc=SL5780133-109256

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 23: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22658-107794

+ Details

Note 15 - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Valuation and Qualifying Account Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 6,434,000	$ 4,806,000	$ 4,796,000
Additions charged to expense	8,607,000	2,751,000	1,952,000
Deductions from reserves	(1,610,000)	(1,123,000)	(1,942,000)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 13,431,000	$ 6,434,000	$ 4,806,000

Note 16 - Other Information - Compensation and Other Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Compensation	$ 16,915	$ 9,170
Retirement plans	2,317	2,637
Other	25,046	5,904
Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total	$ 44,278	$ 17,711

Note 16 - Other Information - Supplemental Cash Payment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Interest	$ 49,518	$ 47,555	$ 52,180
Debt financing and reorganization costs	707	1,773	437
Income tax payments, net	$ 446	$ 8,439	$ 464

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring Charges, Total	$ 13,751,000	$ 11,635,000	$ 5,550,000
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0	$ 0
Impact of Withdrawal from Retirement Plans [Member]
Restructuring Charges, Total	4,400,000
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Charges, Total	6,272,000
Transition Costs Related to the Transactions [Member]
Restructuring Charges, Total	1,807,000
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Charges, Total	$ 1,272,808
Minimum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Period (Year)	20 years
Plan Partially Withdrawn From in 2017 [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Period (Year)	20 years
Construction and Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Construction and Equipment, Purchase Commitments	$ 2,050,000

Note 18 - Leases (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2020	Mar. 16, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 70,933,000	$ 56,226,000	$ 0
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	8,577,000		0
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	$ 62,374,000		0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months			3,403,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years			2,290,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years			2,238,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years			1,637,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years			1,367,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter			$ 4,991,000
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Remaining Lease Term (Year)	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Remaining Lease Term (Year)	40 years

Note 18 - Leases - Lease Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Note 18 - Leases - Lease Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)
Operating lease costs	$ 10,148
Variable lease costs	1,911
Short-term lease costs	426
Total Operating Lease Expense	12,485
Operating cash outflow from operating leases	10,003
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	$ 1,630
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) (Year)	8 years 7 months 20 days
Weighted Average discount rate	8.24%

Note 18 - Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2020 USD ($)
2021	$ 14,438
2022	12,103
2023	11,213
2024	10,538
2025	9,763
Thereafter	41,390
Total lease payments	99,445
Less: interest	(28,494)
Present value of lease liabilities	$ 70,951

Note 19 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2020	Jun. 28, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Total operating revenue	$ 191,766	$ 182,528	$ 121,367	$ 122,343	$ 123,665	$ 127,284	$ 122,704	$ 136,201	$ 618,004	$ 509,854	$ 543,955
Net (loss) income	(1,261)	(727)	(4,990)	5,717	1,345	6,172	(2,327)	10,719	(1,261)	15,909	47,048
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ (1,784)	$ (1,275)	$ (5,367)	$ 5,320	$ 819	$ 5,766	$ (2,678)	$ 10,361	$ (3,106)	$ 14,268	$ 45,766
Basic: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.09	$ 0.01	$ 0.10	$ (0.05)	$ 0.19	$ (0.05)	$ 0.26	$ 0.84
Diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.09	$ 0.01	$ 0.10	$ (0.05)	$ 0.18	$ (0.05)	$ 0.25	$ 0.82

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.