Document And Entity Information
Note To Financial Statement Details Textual
Significant Accounting Policies
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2 - Revenue
Note 3 - Investments in Associated Companies
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Note 5 - Debt
Note 6 - Pension Plans
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
Category of Item Purchased [Axis]
Note 8 - Other Retirement Plans
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain]
Note 10 - Stock Ownership Plans
Note 11 - Income Taxes
Note 12 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 13 - Earnings Per Common Share
Note 14 - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Total current liabilities
Note 15 - Other Information
Note 17 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Inventory (Details)
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Details)
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets Amortization Period (Details)
Note 2 - Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)
Note 3 - Investments in Associated Companies - Summarized Financial Information (Details)
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)
us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Identified Intangible Assets (Details)
Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Pretax Impairment Charges (Details)
Note 5 - Debt - Debt (Details)
Note 5 - Debt - Redemption (Details)
Note 5 - Debt - Payments (Details)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Net Periodic Cost (Benefit) (Details)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block]
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets (Details)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details)
Granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)
Vested, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Assumptions (Details)
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]
Forfeited, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Allocation of Pension Assets (Details)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Fair Value Hierarchy of Benefit Plan Assets (Details)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Outstanding, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)
Note 6 - Pension Plans - Future Benefit Payments (Details)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Forfeited, shares (in shares)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Net Period Postretirement Cost (Benefit) Components for Postretirement Plans (Details)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets (Details)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Outstanding, shares (in shares)
Outstanding, shares (in shares)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Assumptions (Details)
Granted, shares (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates (Details)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
Vested, shares (in shares)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Effect if One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Heath Care Cost Trend Rates (Details)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Allocation of Benefit Plan Assets (Details)
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Fair Value Hierarchy of Benefit Plan Assets (Details)
Less current maturities of long-term debt
Current maturities of long-term debt
Note 7 - Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits - Future Benefit Payments (Details)
Note 8 - Other Retirement Plans - Other Retirement Plans (Details)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block]
Note 10 - Stock Ownership Plans - Stock Option Activities (Details)
Note 10 - Stock Ownership Plans - Weighted Average Prices of Stock Options (Details)
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax
Deferred income taxes, net
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
Note 10 - Stock Ownership Plans - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding (Details)
Note 10 - Stock Ownership Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Details)
Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]
Note 11 - Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)
Note 11 - Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Continuing Operations (Details)
Note 11 - Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Liabilities (Details)
Note 11 - Income Taxes - Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)
Note 12 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimate Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]
Note 13 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details)
Note 14 - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Valuation and Qualifying Account Information (Details)
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]
Exercisable, end of year (in shares)
Note 15 - Other Information - Compensation and Other Accrued Liabilities (Details)
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Total deficit
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
Note 15 - Other Information - Supplemental Cash Payment (Details)
Note 17 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Financial Statements (Details)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value
Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block]
Notes To Financial Statements
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions [Table Text Block]
Hedge Funds [Member]
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Financial Instruments [Domain]
Goodwill, gross amount
us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
Accumulated impairment losses
Under option, end of year (in dollars per share)
Unearned revenue
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current
Cancelled (in dollars per share)
Financial Instrument [Axis]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
Exercised (in dollars per share)
Compensation and other accrued liabilities
Pension Plan [Member]
Accrued interest
Accounts payable
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Postemployment Retirement Benefits [Member]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Under option, balance (in shares)
Under option, balance (in shares)
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Retirement Plan Type [Axis]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod
Canceled (in shares)
Retirement Plan Type [Domain]
Credit Facility [Axis]
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Proceeds from sales of assets
Retirement plans
Credit Facility [Domain]
Other
us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Compensation
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
Uninsured Risks [Policy Text Block]
The accounting policy for uninsured risks.
Noncontrolling Interest [Policy Text Block]
The accounting policy for noncontrolling interest.
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant
lee_CumulativeEffectOfAccountingChange
Cumulative effect of accounting change
Amount of cumulative affect of change in accounting principle.
Construction and Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Represents information related to construction and equipment purchase commitments.
Printing Press and Insertion Equipment [Member]
Represents printing press and insertion equipment.
Other Inventory [Member]
Represents other inventory.
Newsprint [Member]
Represents newsprint.
Cumulative effect of accounting change
lee_EditorialServiceFees
Editorial Service Fees
Amount of fees charged for providing the editorial content of the product.
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Purchases of property and equipment
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)
Newspaper Subscriber Lists [Member]
Represents newspaper subscriber lists.
Other Information [Text Block]
The entire disclosure for other information.
us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesRestrictedStock
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock (in shares)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period
Discount rate - interest cost
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateInterestCost
Weighted average rate for present value of future retirement benefits cash flows attributed to the cost recognized for passage of time, used to determine net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plan.
Debt financing and reorganization costs
Represents information related to debt financing and reorganization costs paid.
Income tax payments, net
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Asset Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosre of impairment charges related to assets.
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Weighted average Common Stock (in shares)
Discount rate - service cost
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateServiceCost
Weighted average rate for present value of future retirement benefits cash flows attributed to service rendered by employee, used to determine net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plan.
us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Loss Contingency Accrual, Ending Balance
Current liabilities:
Interest
Schedule of Debt Payments [Table Text Block]
The tabular disclosure of payments of debt instruments.
2st Lien Agreement [Member]
Represents information related to second lien agreement.
us-gaap_Assets
Total assets
us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Long-term Debt, Fair Value
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount
lee_DeferredTaxAssetsAllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts
Allowance for doubtful accounts and losses on loans
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to allowance for doubtful accounts.
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense
Operating Lease, Expense
lee_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
Long-term debt
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to long-term debt.
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition
Customer Lists [Member]
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsBenefitsPaidForActiveEmployees
Benefits paid for active employees
Amount of payment to active employee under defined benefit plan which decreases plan assets. For pension plan, payment includes, but is not limited to, pension benefits and death benefits. For other postretirement plan, payment includes, but is not limited to, prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services.
Supplemental Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Represents information related to supplemental employee stock purchase plan.
TIPS [Member]
Represents Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities ("TIPS").
2021, net payments
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentNetOfSubsidyReceiptYearTwo
Amount of benefits for defined benefit plan expected to be paid net of subsidy receipts in second fiscal year following latest fiscal year.
2020, net payments
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentNetOfSubsidyReceiptNextTwelveMonths
Amount of benefits for defined benefit plan expected to be paid net of subsidy receipts in next fiscal year following latest fiscal year.
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongtermReturnOnAssets
Expected long-term return on plan assets
Weighted average rate of return on plan assets, reflecting average rate of earnings expected on existing plan assets and expected contributions, used to determine benefit obligation of defined benefit plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Represents information related to employee stock purchase plan.
lee_OwnershipPercentageOfTotalCommonStock
Ownership Percentage of Total Common Stock
The percentage ownership of total common stock.
2025-2029, net payments
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentNetOfSubsidyReceiptFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
Amount of benefits for defined benefit plan expected to be paid net of subsidy receipts in five fiscal years after fifth fiscal year following latest fiscal year.
lee_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueOwnershipPercentageOfVotingCommonStock
Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Ownership Percentage of Voting Common Stock
The ownership percentage of voting common stock in equity security without readily determinable fair value.
2024, net payments
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentNetOfSubsidyReceiptYearFive
Amount of benefits for defined benefit plan expected to be paid net of subsidy receipts in fifth fiscal year following latest fiscal year.
2023, net payments
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentNetOfSubsidyReceiptYearFour
Amount of benefits for defined benefit plan expected to be paid net of subsidy receipts in fourth fiscal year following latest fiscal year.
2022, net payments
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentNetOfSubsidyReceiptYearThree
Amount of benefits for defined benefit plan expected to be paid net of subsidy receipts in third fiscal year following latest fiscal year.
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis]
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Represents exercise price range 2.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Represents exercise price range 1.
District No. 9 Pension Trust [Member]
Represents the District No. 9 Pension Trust.
CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan [Member]
Represents the CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan.
GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund [Member]
Represents the GCIU- Employer Retirement Fund.
Other Retirement Plans [Text Block]
The tabular disclosure for retirement plans other than those previously disclosed.
lee_ClassOfWarrantOrRightPercentageOfCommonStockOutstanding
Class of Warrant or Right, Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding
Represents percentage of common stock outstanding for class of warrant or right.
Warrant Agreement [Member]
Represents information related to warrant agreement.
Adjustments for Error Corrections [Axis]
Deferred
Represents the amount of deferred tax expense from continuing and discontinued operations.
Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain]
lee_PercentageOfOutstandingSharesProFormaBasis
Percentage of Outstanding Shares, Pro Forma Basis
Represents percentage of outstanding shares on a pro forma basis.
Award Type [Domain]
Retained Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Represents retained earnings including amount attributable to noncontrolling interest.
Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Represents foreign equity securities.
Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Represents domestic equity securities.
lee_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsRelatedToNetOperatingLoss
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Related to Net Operating Loss
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to net operating loss.
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Award Type [Axis]
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:
Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
Less accumulated amortization
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Amortizable intangible assets, net
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Other intangible assets, net
Amortizable intangible assets, gross
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Restricted Stock [Member]
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Restructuring Costs and Other, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for restructuring costs and other.
Uninsured Risk [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain]
U.S. Small Cap Value Equity Common/Collective Fund [Member]
Information pertaining to U.S. small cap value equity common/collective fund.
Inventory [Axis]
Inventory [Domain]
Goodwill acquired in business combinations
Goodwill, Acquired During Period
Global Equity Long/Short Common/Collective Hedge Fund-of-funds 2 [Member]
Information pertaining to global equity long/short common/collective hedge fund-of-funds.
Loss Contingency Nature [Axis]
Global Equity Long/Short Common/Collective Hedge Fund-of-funds [Member]
Information pertaining to global equity long/short common/collective hedge fund-of-funds.
us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit
Goodwill allocated to disposed businesses
Mastheads
us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Less accumulated depreciation
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Goodwill, Ending Balance
Goodwill
Goodwill
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Equipment
Construction in process
Long-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Land and improvements
Long-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment:
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss
Net income
Net income
us-gaap_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligation
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation
Other, net
us-gaap_OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement
Cash provided by (required for) investing activities:
us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount
Change in income taxes payable
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi
Equity Securities, FV-NI
Other, including warrants
Equity in earnings
Equity in earnings of associated companies
Decrease in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross
Associated companies
Equity Method Investments
us-gaap_NonoperatingGainsLosses
Non-operating losses
Income tax expense (benefit)
Increase (decrease) in pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations
Multiemployer Plan Name [Domain]
Multiemployer Plans Type [Domain]
Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]
Multiemployer Plan Name [Axis]
Debt Instrument Redemption [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Multiemployer Plans [Table Text Block]
Investments:
Multiemployer Plan Type [Axis]
us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Total operating expenses
Shares issued
Equity impact of the value of stock issued (redeemed) during the period.
lee_DebtFinancingAndAdministrativeCosts
Debt financing and administrative costs
Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs and administrative costs.
Newsprint and ink
Newsprint and ink expense: expenses related to the consumption of newsprint and ink (both inventoried items)
Advertising and Marketing Services [Member]
Represents the information pertaining to advertising and marketing services.
Second Lien Credit Faclity [Member]
Represents information related to second lien credit facility.
First Lien Credit Faclinty [Member]
Represents information related to first lien credit facility.
Term Loan [Member]
Represents information related to term loan.
lee_ConstructionAndEquipmentPurchaseCommitments
Construction and Equipment, Purchase Commitments
Represents purchase commitments for construction and equipment.
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year
End of year
us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense
Compensation
lee_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsBenefitsPaidNetOfPremiumAndMedicalPart
Benefits paid, net of premiums and Medicare Part D subsidies received
Amount of asset segregated and restricted to provide benefit under defined benefit plan net of premium and medical part.
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year:
Fair value of plan assets, end of year
us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense
Funded status
Funded status
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance
Benefit obligation, beginning of year
Benefit obligation, end of year
2025-2029, gross payments
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
2025-2029
Employer contributions
Employer contributions
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsNextFiscalYear
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year
2021, gross payments
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
2021
2022, gross payments
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
2022
2023, gross payments
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
2023
2024, gross payments
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
2024
Amendment Flag
us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
2020, gross payments
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
2020
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit, increase
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents1
Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit, decrease
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, increase
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation1
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, decrease
Health care cost trend rates
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the “Ultimate Trend Rate”)
Year in which the rate reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate
us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment
Assets loss (gain) on sales, impairments and other
Expected long-term return on plan assets
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets
us-gaap_SharesOutstanding
Balance, beginning of year (in shares)
Balance, end of year (in shares)
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance
Current Fiscal Year End Date
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
Interest rate
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedAmortizationOfGainLossNextFiscalYear
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Gain (Loss), Next Fiscal Year
Common stock transactions, net
The net value of common stock transactions in the period.
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCreditNextFiscalYear
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Next Fiscal Year
lee_DistributionsGreaterLessThanEarningsOfTNI
Distributions greater (less) than earnings of TNI
Distributions which are greater (less) than the earnings of TNI Partners ("TNI").
Discount rate
Discount rate
TNI Partners [Member]
Information pertaining to TNI Partners ("TNI").
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]
INN Partners, L.C. [Member]
Information pertaining to INN Partners, L.C. ("TownNews.com").
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Other Revenues [Member]
Revenues from sources classified as other.
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount
Digital Services Revenues [Member]
Revenues which come from digital services.
Document Period End Date
MNI [Member]
Information pertaining to Madison Newspapers, Inc. ("MNI").
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before income taxes)
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before income tax benefit)
Entity Emerging Growth Company
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
Document Type
us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Information pertaining to senior secured notes.
us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Entity Small Business
Actual return on plan assets
Actual return on plan assets
Entity Shell Company
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsBenefitsPaid
Benefits paid
Benefits paid, net of premiums received
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Information [Table]
Second Lien Term Loan [Member]
Information pertaining to the second lien term loan agreement (the "2nd Lien Term Loan").
First Lien Term Loan [Member]
Information pertaining to the first lien term loan (the "1st Lien Term Loan").
Entity Public Float
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationBenefitsPaid
Benefits paid
Entity Filer Category
Debt Instrument [Axis]
Entity Current Reporting Status
Debt Instrument, Name [Domain]
Restructuring costs and other
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAdministrationExpenses
Administrative expenses paid
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Operating expenses
lee_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOperatingExpenses
The amount of the operating expenses reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss
Actuarial loss (gain)
Actuarial loss (gain)
Variable Rate [Domain]
lee_PaymentsOfFinancingAndAdministrativeCosts
Debt financing and administrative costs paid
The cash outflow for loan and debt issuance costs and administrative costs.
lee_RepurchasePriceOfNotesChangeOfControl
Repurchase Price of Notes, Change of Control
The repurchase price of notes, as a percentage of the principal amount, in the event that certain assets or sold, or a specific kinds of changes in control are experienced by the company.
Prime Rate [Member]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
Decrease in receivables and contract sales
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
The tabular disclosure of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with both finite and infinite lives by major class.
Property, equipment and other assets
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]
Non-amortized intangible assets
Variable Rate [Axis]
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Curtailment
Stock compensation
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]
Entity Central Index Key
Depreciation and amortization
Entity Registrant Name
Entity [Domain]
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearThree1
2022, subsidy
Legal Entity [Axis]
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFour1
2023, subsidy
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFive1
2024, subsidy
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsAfterYearFive
2025-2029, subsidy
First Lien Credit Facility [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the First Lien Credit Facility.
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugBenefitEffectOfSubsidyOnNetPeriodicPostretirementBenefitCost1
Medicare Part D subsidies
Less amortization of intangible assets
us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsNextTwelveMonths
2020, subsidy
us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearTwo1
2021, subsidy
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Ending Balance
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligationIncreaseDecreaseForSettlementAndCurtailment
Curtailment
One Month LIBOR Plus 1.0% [Member]
Represents the variable rate as one month LIBOR plus 1.0%,
Federal Funds Rate Plus 0.5% [Member]
Represents variable rate represents as federal funds rate plus 0.5%.
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)
Warrants Issued in Connection with Second Lien Term Loan [Member]
Represents the warrants issued in connection with the 2nd Lien Term Loan..
lee_WeightedAverageCostOfDebtExcludingAmortizationOfDebtFinancingCosts
Weighted Average Cost of Debt, Excluding Amortization of Debt Financing Costs
Represents weighted average cost of debt excluding amortization of debt financing costs.
September 30, 2018
Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow
Amount of Pulitzer Excess Cash Flow available to be used to repay debt.
lee_WarrantsWhenFullyExercisedPercentageOfCommonStockOutstanding
Warrants, When Fully Exercised, Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding
Represents the percentage of common stock outstanding when warrants fully exercised.
Plan Partially Withdrawn From in 2017 [Member]
Represents the multi-employer pension plan which was partially withdrawn from in 2017.
lee_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligationPeriod
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Period
The period of time in which an obligation recognized by withdrawing from a pension or postretirement benefit plan will be paid.
Amortization of prior service benefit
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses
Amortization of net loss
Trading Symbol
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateProjectedBenefitObligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Projected Benefit Obligation
lee_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValuePercent
Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Percent
Percent of investment in equity security without readily determinable fair value.
Service cost for benefits earned during the year
Service cost
Service cost
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
Interest cost
Interest cost
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
Expected return on plan assets
TCT [Member]
Information pertaining to The Capital Times Company ("TCT").
lee_FutureLiquidityWarrantExerciseProceeds
Future Liquidity Warrant Exercise Proceeds
Warrant Exercise Proceeds- the proceeds received by the Company if and when warrants are exercised in the future.
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Accumulated Benefit Obligation
lee_Liquidity
Liquidity
Amount of cash availble for immediate use of the company including: cash and cash equivalents, current borrowing capacity under a revolver, etc.
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets, Plan Assets
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity
us-gaap_FairValueHedgeAssetsAtFairValue
Hedge fund investments
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Exercised (in shares)
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailment
Curtailment gains
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity
Asset Percentage, Policy Allocation
Asset Percentage, Actual Allocation
Depreciation and amortization
lee_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationDepreciationAndAmortization
The amount of the depreciation and amortization reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
LIFO inventory
Restructuring costs
lee_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRestructuringCosts
The amount of the restructuring costs reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
Additions charged to expense
Company's 50% share
lee_OperatingIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Amount of operating income (loss) for proportionate share of equity method investee's income (loss).
FIFO inventory
Warrant and rights, measurement input
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventoriesAndOtherOperatingAssets
Decrease (increase) in inventories and other
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTransfersBetweenMeasurementLevels
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase (Decrease) for Assets Transferred into (out of) Level 3
Shares issued (in shares)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsLevel3ReconciliationIncreaseForPurchase
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase for Purchase
us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsLevel3ReconciliationDecreaseForSale
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Decrease for Sale
us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
Debt securities
us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and deficit
Other operating expenses
Accumulated deficit
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Security [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Measurement Input, Share Price [Member]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_InterestExpense
Interest expense
Measurement Input, Price Volatility [Member]
us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities [Member]
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Event [Member]
Medical plan assets, net
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Axis]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]
Measurement Input, Expected Term [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Domain]
Defined Benefit Plan, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability
Operating Lease, Liability, Total
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet
Other Intangible Assets, Net
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRollingYearTwo
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Two
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRollingYearThree
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Three
us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsNetOfDividendsOrDistributions
Distributions greater (less) than earnings of MNI
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRollingYearFour
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Four
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRollingYearFive
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Rolling Year Five
TCT and Private Equity Investment [Member]
Represents the information pertaining to TCT and Private Equity Investment.
us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Deferred income taxes
Measurement Input Type [Axis]
us-gaap_EmployeeBenefitsAndShareBasedCompensation
Employee Benefits and Share-based Compensation
Measurement Input Type [Domain]
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextRollingTwelveMonths
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Rolling Twelve Months
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_FairValueAdjustmentOfWarrants
Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants
Stock compensation expense
Other
us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period
us-gaap_TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017ChangeInTaxRateIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Change in Tax Rate, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total
Intangible Assets, useful life (Year)
Operating expenses:
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_LongTermInvestments
Total investments
us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Depreciation and amortization
us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Total current assets
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Cash and cash equivalents
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure, Total
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]
Common Stock
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Pension contributions
us-gaap_PensionContributions
Pension contributions
Debt Financing Costs that Should Have Been Recorded in Prior Periods [Member]
Represents information about debt financing costs that should have been recorded in prior periods.
lee_IncreaseInDebtFinancingAndOtherCosts
Increase in Debt Financing and Other Costs
Represents the amount of increase in debt financing and other costs during the period.
us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Valuation allowance
Statistical Measurement [Domain]
Maximum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Ownership [Domain]
Product and Service [Axis]
us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
Prepaids and other
Product and Service [Domain]
Statistical Measurement [Axis]
Investment, Name [Domain]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]
Ownership [Axis]
us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNetCurrent
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Current, Total
Serial convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 500 shares; none issued
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)
Investment, Name [Axis]
Other
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross
Preferred stock, shares authoritzed (in shares)
us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities
us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserve
Inventory, LIFO Reserve
Inventories
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Operating revenue
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member]
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
lee_IncreaseDecreaseInLongtermDebtUnamortizedDebtFinancingCosts
Increase (Decrease) in Long-term Debt, Unamortized Debt Financing Costs
The amount of increase (decrease) in long-term debt, unamortized debt financing costs.
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis]
Accrued expenses
Property and equipment, useful life (Year)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Non-controlling interests
Cash provided by operating activities:
Revenue [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_WarrantsAndRightsOutstanding
Warrants and Rights Outstanding
Statement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts: 2019 $6,434; 2018 $4,806
Additional paid-in capital
Accrued compensation
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]
Operating revenue:
Building Improvements [Member]
Pension and postretirement benefits
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Other, net
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis]
us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Total non-operating expense, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
Operating loss carryforwards
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total
Current assets:
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Net income
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net cash required for financing activities
Operating revenue
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue
us-gaap_Liabilities
Total liabilities
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals
Accrued compensation
Sale of Stock [Axis]
Sale of Stock [Domain]
Operating income
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeExtraordinaryItems
Members' equity
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquity
us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Operating income
Total liabilities and members' equity
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilitiesAndEquity
us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized
Non-operating income (expense):
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Net cash provided by operating activities
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Net cash required for investing activities
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities
Net deferred income tax liabilities
Pension obligations
us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent, Total
Postretirement benefit obligations
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssets
Identified intangible assets
Current liabilities
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentLiabilities
Other liabilities
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities
Current assets
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentAssets
Investments and other assets
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssets
Total assets
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesInvestments
Investments
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Type of Adoption [Domain]
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Property and equipment
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]
Scenario [Domain]
Forecast [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
State
Scenario [Axis]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Federal
Common Stock [Member]
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member]
Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Component [Domain]
Total long-term debt
us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Long-term Debt, Total
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights
Class of Warrant or Right [Axis]
Class of Warrant or Right [Domain]
us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOutstanding
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding
us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Income before income taxes
us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights
us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Long-term Line of Credit, Total
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Debt Issuance Costs, Net, Total
Unamortized debt issue costs
Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis]
Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain]
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Payments on long-term debt
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Long-term debt, gross
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Long-term Debt, Gross
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Unrecognized tax benefits, balance
Unrecognized tax benefits, balance
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations
Lapse in statute of limitations
Increases (decreases) in tax positions for prior years
Increases in tax positions for the current year
Title of 12(b) Security
us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableWriteOffs
Deductions from reserves
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued
Proceeds from long-term debt
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners
us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount
Diluted average Common Stock (in shares)
us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total
Statement [Table]
us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Diluted: (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter
Basic average Common Stock (in shares)
Other
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years
Basic: (in dollars per share)
Revaluation of deferred income taxes due to law charges
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years
us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments
Other
Valuation allowance
Earnings per common share:
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years
Warrant valuation
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Net income of associated companies taxed at dividend rates
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months
Income Statement [Abstract]
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]
Resolution of tax matters
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months
us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]
Non-deductible expenses
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal tax impact
us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
Other, net
Change in pension and postretirement benefits
Cash provided by (required for) financing activities:
Computed “expected” income tax expense (benefit)
Warrants and other
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossFinalizationOfPensionAndNonPensionPostretirementPlanValuationBeforeTax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Settlement and Curtailment Gain (Loss), before Tax
us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPSharesInESOP
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP, Total
Unrecognized prior service benefit
Unrecognized prior service benefit
Deferred income taxes
Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
Unrecognized net actuarial gain
Pension obligations
Total stockholders' deficit
Balance, beginning of year
Balance, end of year
Income taxes payable
Common Class A [Member]
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Axis]
Class of Stock [Domain]
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Acquisitions
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetInterestCarryforward
Deferred Tax Asset, Interest Carryforward
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Year)
Number Exercisable (in shares)
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocation [Table Text Block]
Range of exercise prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)
Number outstanding (in shares)
Exercise Price Range [Axis]
Exercise Price Range [Domain]
Range of exercise prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)