UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

               [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2001

                                       OR

          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                          Commission File Number 1-6227

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

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

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

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

                                                        Name of Each Exchange
       Title of Each Class                               On Which Registered
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities registered pursuant to
     Section 12(b) of the Act:
  Common Stock - $2.00 par value                      New York Stock Exchange
  Preferred   Share  Purchase Rights                  New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
  Class B Common Stock - $2.00 par value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

State the aggregate  market value of voting stock held by  nonaffiliates  of the
Registrant as of November 30, 2001. Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, $2.00
par value, $1,515,200,000.

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of November 30, 2001. Common Stock, $2.00 par value, 33,920,305
shares and Class B Common Stock, $2.00 par value, 10,210,918 shares.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Lee Enterprises,  Incorporated  Definitive Proxy Statement dated
December 27, 2001 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.



TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                           Page


Business

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Selected Financial Data

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

Signatures

Consolidated Financial Statements





FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995 provides a "Safe Harbor"
for forward-looking  statements.  This report contains certain information which
may be deemed  forward-looking  that is based largely on the  Company's  current
expectations and is subject to certain risks,  trends,  and  uncertainties  that
could cause actual results to differ  materially from those  anticipated.  Among
such  risks,  trends,  and  uncertainties  are  changes in  advertising  demand,
newsprint prices, interest rates, regulatory rulings, other economic conditions,
and the effect of acquisitions,  investments,  and dispositions on the Company's
results of operations or financial condition.  The words "believes,"  "expects,"
"anticipates,"   "intends,"  "plans,"   "projects,"   "considers,"  and  similar
expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking  statements,  which are made
as of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake to publicly update
or revise its forward-looking statements.

PART I

Item 1.   Business

The Company  directly,  and  through  its  ownership  of  associated  companies,
publishes 28 daily  newspapers  and more than 100 other weekly,  classified  and
specialty  publications,  along with  associated  online  services.  Many of the
Company's businesses operate in geographic "clusters," which provide operational
efficiencies  and extend  sales  penetration.  The  Company was founded in 1890,
incorporated in 1950, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978.  Before
2001,  the Company also  operated a number of  network-affiliated  and satellite
television stations.

Advertising

More than one-half of the  Company's  revenue is derived from  advertising.  The
Company's  strategies  are to increase  its share of local  advertising  through
increased  sales  pressure in its existing  markets and,  over time, to increase
circulation  through internal expansion into contiguous markets, as well as make
selective  acquisitions.  Acquisition  efforts  are focused on  newspapers  with
circulation  from  30,000 to  125,000  and other  publications  that  expand the
Company's operating clusters.

The Company's newspapers, and classified and specialty publications compete with
newspapers   having  national  or  regional   circulation,   magazines,   radio,
television, other advertising media such as billboards, classified and specialty
publications  and direct mail, as well as other  information  content  providers
such as online services. In addition,  several of the Company's daily and Sunday
newspapers  compete with other local  newspapers in nearby cities and towns. The
Company  estimates  that it captures more than one-half of  advertising  dollars
spent in its markets on print, broadcast and online.

Classified  publications are weekly advertising  publications available in racks
or  delivered  free by  carriers  or  third-class  mail to all  households  in a
particular  geographic  area.   Classified   publications  offer  advertisers  a
cost-effective local advertising system and are particularly effective in larger
markets with high media fragmentation in which metropolitan newspapers generally
have low penetration.

In late 2000, the newspaper industry began to experience  declining  advertising
revenue  demand for the first time in several years.  The Company's  enterprises
are located in  mid-size  and  smaller  markets  from the Midwest to the Pacific
Northwest.  These markets have been more stable than major metropolitan  markets
during the current downturn in advertising spending.

Circulation

After advertising,  circulation is the Company's largest source of revenue.  The
Company estimates that its products are sold to approximately one-half, and read
by  approximately  three-fourths,  of adults in its markets.  For the six months
ended  September  30,  2001,  daily  circulation  improved  over the prior  year
comparative  amount, the Company's best performance in the last 10 years. Growth
in circulation can, over time, also positively impact advertising  revenue.  The
Company's  strategies to improve  readership and circulation  include continuous
improvement of content, including local news, and promotional efforts.


The Company and its affiliates publish the following daily newspapers:

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Circulation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newspaper                                 City             State          Daily (M-F)     Sunday
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              
Southern Illinoisan ...................   Carbondale       Illinois         26,944 (1)    36,361
Herald & Review .......................   Decatur          Illinois         33,864 (1)    40,903
Quad City Times .......................   Davenport        Iowa             50,604 (1)    71,030
Globe Gazette .........................   Mason City       Iowa             18,962 (1)    23,121
Muscatine Journal .....................   Muscatine        Iowa              7,978 (1)        --
Winona Daily News .....................   Winona           Minnesota        11,546 (1)    12,663
Billings Gazette ......................   Billings         Montana          46,802 (1)    53,166
The Montana Standard ..................   Butte            Montana          14,020 (1)    14,256
Ravalli Republic ......................   Hamilton         Montana           5,814 (2)        --
Independent Record ....................   Helena           Montana          13,479 (1)    14,300
Missoulian ............................   Missoula         Montana          29,787 (1)    36,728
Beatrice Daily Sun ....................   Beatrice         Nebraska          7,893 (1)        --
Columbus Telegram .....................   Columbus         Nebraska          9,481 (1)    10,300
Fremont Tribune .......................   Fremont          Nebraska          9,213 (2)        --
Lincoln Journal Star ..................   Lincoln          Nebraska         75,292 (1)    82,957
The Bismarck Tribune ..................   Bismarck         North Dakota     26,865 (1)    30,153
Democrat-Herald .......................   Albany           Oregon           18,541 (1)    32,218 (3)
Ashland Daily Tidings .................   Ashland          Oregon            5,133 (1)        --
Corvallis Gazette-Times ...............   Corvallis        Oregon           12,265 (1)           (3)
Rapid City Journal ....................   Rapid City       South Dakota     29,726 (1)    33,730
Baraboo News Republic (4) .............   Baraboo          Wisconsin         4,021 (2)        --
Chippewa Herald .......................   Chippewa Falls   Wisconsin         7,100 (2)        --
LaCrosse Tribune ......................   LaCrosse         Wisconsin        31,009 (1)    40,531
The Capital Times (4) .................   Madison          Wisconsin        19,871 (1)        --
Wisconsin State Journal (4) ...........   Madison          Wisconsin        87,871 (1)   155,562
Portage Daily Register (4) ............   Portage          Wisconsin         4,801 (2)        --
The Journal Times .....................   Racine           Wisconsin        29,136 (1)    30,039
Shawano Leader (4) ....................   Shawano          Wisconsin         5,735 (1)     6,095
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total paid daily and Sunday circulation                                    643,753       724,113
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  Source:  Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC):  Six months ended September
     2001.
(2)  Source:  Company statistics.
(3)  Combined edition.
(4)  Published by Madison  Newspapers,  Inc. (MNI). The Company owns 50% of the
     capital stock of MNI and 17% of the nonvoting  common stock of The Capital
     Times  Company.  The Capital  Times  Company owns the remaining 50% of the
     capital  stock of MNI. The Company has a contract to furnish the editorial
     and news content for the Wisconsin  State  Journal.  The  Wisconsin  State
     Journal  is  classified  as one of the  Lee  group  of  newspapers  in the
     newspaper field and in the rating services.
</FN>



Commercial Printing

The Company offers commercial printing services through the following entities:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    City               State
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

William Street Press .....................         Decatur            Illinois
Hawkeye Printing .........................         Davenport          Iowa
Platen Press .............................         Deer Lodge         Montana
Farcountry Press .........................         Helena             Montana
Broadwater Printing ......................         Townsend           Montana
Oak Creek Printing .......................         Lincoln            Nebraska
Little Nickel Quik Print .................         Lynnwood           Washington
Spokane Print and Mail ...................         Spokane            Washington
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Online Services

The Company's Internet  activities are comprised of websites  supporting each of
its daily  newspapers and  investments  in, or loans to, three Internet  service
companies, which provide web solutions for small daily and weekly newspapers and
shoppers,  provide  integrated  online  classified  solutions  for the newspaper
industry,   or  integrate  online  editorial  content  with   transactional  and
promotional  opportunities.  The  Internet  activities  of  the  newspapers  are
reported and managed as a part of the Company's publishing operations.

Newsprint

The basic raw material of newspapers, and classified and specialty publications,
is newsprint.  The Company and its subsidiaries purchase newsprint from U.S. and
Canadian producers. The Company believes it will continue to receive a supply of
newsprint  adequate to its needs.  Newsprint  prices are volatile and  fluctuate
based upon  factors  that  include  both the  foreign  and  domestic  production
capacity and consumption.  The price  fluctuations can have a significant effect
on  the  results  of  operations.   For  the   quantitative   impacts  of  these
fluctuations, see "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" under Item 7, included herein.

Officers

The following table lists officers of the Company as of December 1, 2001:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Service          Named
                                     With The       To Present
           Name               Age    Company          Office            Present Office
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       
Mary E. Junck ............    54   June 1999       January 2001    President and Chief Executive
                                                                   Officer

James W. Hopson ..........    55   August 2000     August 2000     Vice President - Publishing

Brian E. Kardell .........    38   January 1991    January 2001    Vice President - Information
                                                                   Systems/Chief Information
                                                                   Officer

Vytenis P. Kuraitis ......    53   August 1994     January 1997    Vice President - Human
                                                                   Resources

Michael E. Phelps ........    55   February 2000   February 2000   Vice President - Sales &
                                                                   Marketing

Gregory P. Schermer ......    47   February 1989   November 1997   Vice President - Interactive
                                                                   Media and Corporate Counsel

Carl G. Schmidt ..........    45   May 2001        May 2001        Vice President, Chief Financial
                                                                   Officer and Treasurer

David B. Stoeffler .......    42   June 1981       December 2001   Vice President for News

John VanStrydonck ........    48   March 1981      June 2000       Vice President - Publishing

Greg R. Veon .............    49   April 1976      November 1999   Vice President - Publishing
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Mary E. Junck was elected  President and Chief Executive  Officer of the Company
in January  2001.  Ms.  Junck was elected  Executive  Vice  President  and Chief
Operating  Officer in May 1999 and President in January  2000.  From May 1996 to
April 1999 she was  Executive  Vice  President of The Times  Mirror  Company and
President of Eastern  Newspapers.  She was named  Publisher and Chief  Executive
Officer of The Baltimore Sun in 1993.

James W. Hopson was elected  Vice  President - Publishing  and  publisher of the
Wisconsin State Journal in July 2000. For more than the past five years prior to
July 2000, he was Chief  Executive  Officer of Thomson  Newspapers  Central Ohio
Strategic Marketing Group.

Brian E.  Kardell  was  appointed  Vice  President -  Information  Systems/Chief
Information  Officer in January 2001.  From 1997 to 2001,  Mr. Kardell was Chief
Information Officer. Prior to 2001, he was Director of Information Services.

Vytenis P.  Kuraitis  was elected  Vice  President - Human  Resources in January
1997. From August 1994 through January 1997 he was Director of Human Resources.

Michael E. Phelps was elected Vice  President - Sales and  Marketing in February
2000.  For more than the past five years prior to February 2000, he was managing
principal of Phelps, Cutler & Associates, newspaper management consultants.

Gregory P. Schermer was elected Vice  President - Interactive  Media in November
1997.  From  1989  through  November  1997 he was,  and  continues  to serve as,
Corporate Counsel for the Company.

Carl G.  Schmidt  was  elected  Vice  President,  Chief  Financial  Officer  and
Treasurer in May 2001.  From July 1994 until  September  2000,  Mr.  Schmidt was
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial  Officer of Johnson Outdoors Inc. From
1988 to 1994 he was a partner of KPMG, LLP.

David B. Stoeffler was appointed Vice President for News in December 2001.  From
1997 to December  2001,  Mr.  Stoeffler was Editor of the Lincoln  Journal Star.
From 1995 to 1997, he was Editor of the La Crosse Tribune.

John  VanStrydonck  was elected Vice  President - Publishing in June 2000.  From
September  1994 to June 2000 he was  Publisher of the Rapid City Journal and was
Chairman and Chief  Operating  Officer of NAPP Systems from September 1994 until
its sale by Lee in January 1997.

Greg R. Veon was elected Vice  President -  Publishing  in November  1999;  from
November 1995 through November 1999 he was Vice President - Marketing.

Other Matters

In the opinion of management,  compliance with present  statutory and regulatory
requirements  respecting  environmental quality will not necessitate significant
capital outlays,  or materially  affect the earning power of the business of the
Company, or cause material changes in the Company's business, whether present or
intended.

At September 30, 2001, the Company had approximately 4,900 employees,  including
approximately 1,300 part-time employees, exclusive of MNI. The Company considers
its relationship with employees to be good.

Item 2.    Properties

The Company's  executive  offices are located in leased  facilities at 215 North
Main Street, Davenport, Iowa.

All of the Company's printing  facilities (except Madison,  Wisconsin,  which is
owned by MNI,  and a  leased  plant  in  Spokane,  Washington)  are  owned.  All
facilities are well maintained, in good condition,  suitable for existing office
and publishing operations and adequately equipped with typesetting, printing and
other required equipment.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

Not applicable.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.


PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

Common  Stock of the Company is listed on the New York Stock  Exchange.  Class B
Common  Stock was  issued to  stockholders  of  record  of the  Company  in 1986
pursuant to a 100% stock  dividend and is converted at sale or the option of the
holder  into  Common  Stock.  The table  below  shows the high and low prices of
Common Stock for each quarter during the past three years,  the closing price at
the end of each quarter and the dividends paid per share.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Quarter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1st        2nd      3rd       4th
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOCK PRICES

2001
  High ..............................       $30.69    $32.55    $34.98    $34.40
  Low ...............................        24.81     26.94     29.25     29.40
  Closing ...........................        29.81     30.45     33.00     31.67

2000
  High ..............................       $32.25    $31.56    $26.19    $28.94
  Low ...............................        27.25     19.69     20.50     23.25
  Closing ...........................        31.94     26.13     23.31     28.88

1999
  High ..............................       $31.50    $31.44    $30.50    $31.06
  Low ...............................        21.81     26.31     27.50     26.13
  Closing ...........................        31.50     29.00     30.50     27.38

DIVIDENDS

2001 ................................        $0.17     $0.17     $0.17     $0.17
2000 ................................         0.16      0.16      0.16      0.16
1999 ................................         0.15      0.15      0.15      0.15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a  description  of the  relative  rights of Common  Stock and Class B Common
Stock, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  included
herein.

At September  30, 2001,  the Company had 2,954 holders of Common Stock and 1,954
holders of Class B Common Stock.

On November 15, 2001,  the Board of Directors  declared a dividend in the amount
of 17(cent) per share on the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company,
and a dividend in the amount of 17(cent) per share on the issued and outstanding
Class B Common Stock of the Company, be paid on January 2, 2002, to stockholders
of record on December 3, 2001.


Item 6.    Selected Financial Data

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Year Ended September 30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)     2001         2000        1999        1998        1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              
OPERATING RESULTS
Operating revenue ......................   $  441,153    $431,513    $413,846    $391,261    $326,197
Operating income .......................       86,016     102,467      97,369      87,899      81,889
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations ......   $   59,457    $ 69,875    $ 56,821    $ 47,674    $ 49,879
Discontinued operations ................      254,771      13,788      11,152      14,559      14,351
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income .............................   $  314,228    $ 83,663    $ 67,973    $ 62,233    $ 64,230
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic:
  Continuing operations ................   $     1.36    $   1.59    $   1.29    $   1.07    $   1.07
  Discontinued operations ..............         5.82        0.31        0.25        0.32        0.31
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income .............................   $     7.18    $   1.90    $   1.54    $   1.39    $   1.38
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diluted:
  Continuing operations ................   $     1.35    $   1.58    $   1.27    $   1.05    $   1.06
  Discontinued operations ..............         5.78        0.31        0.25        0.32        0.30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income .............................   $     7.13    $   1.89    $   1.52    $   1.37    $   1.36
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weighted average common shares
  outstanding:
  Basic ................................       43,784      44,005      44,273      44,829      46,393
  Diluted ..............................       44,089      44,360      44,861      45,557      47,243
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dividends ..............................   $     0.68    $   0.64    $   0.60    $   0.56    $   0.52
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Total assets ...........................   $1,000,397    $746,233    $679,513    $660,585    $650,963
Debt, including current maturities .....      173,400     222,932     204,625     219,481     203,735
Stockholders' equity ...................      681,944     395,167     354,329     319,759     319,390
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER INFORMATION

EBITDA/revenue .........................        26.8%       30.5%       30.2%       29.1%       30.2%
Operating income/revenue ...............        19.5        23.7        23.5        22.5        25.1
Income from continuing operations/
  revenue ..............................        13.5        16.2        13.7        12.2        15.2
Dividends/income from continuing
  operations ...........................        50.1        40.5        46.9        52.8        48.5
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

The  following  discussion  includes  comments  and  analysis  relating  to  the
Company's results of operations and financial  condition as of and for the three
years ended September 30, 2001.  This  discussion  should be read in conjunction
with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995 provides a "Safe Harbor"
for forward-looking  statements.  This report contains certain information which
may be deemed  forward-looking  that is based largely on the  Company's  current
expectations and is subject to certain risks,  trends,  and  uncertainties  that
could cause actual results to differ  materially from those  anticipated.  Among
such  risks,  trends,  and  uncertainties  are  changes in  advertising  demand,
newsprint prices, interest rates, regulatory rulings, other economic conditions,
and the effect of acquisitions,  investments,  and dispositions on the Company's
results of operations or financial condition.  The words "believes,"  "expects,"
"anticipates,"   "intends,"  "plans,"   "projects,"   "considers,"  and  similar
expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking  statements,  which are made
as of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake to publicly update
or revise its forward-looking statements.

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Operating results are summarized below:

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Year Ended September 30         Percent Change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  2001      2000
                                                                                   vs.       vs.
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)      2001        2000        1999       2000      1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
Operating revenue ........................   $441,153    $431,513    $413,846      2.2%     4.3%
Income before interest, taxes,
  depreciation and amortization
  (EBITDA)(1) ............................    118,174     131,793     124,955    (10.3)     5.5
Operating income .........................     86,016     102,467      97,369    (16.1)     5.2
Nonoperating (income) expense, net .......     (6,418)     (7,748)     10,205    (17.2)      NM
Income from continuing operations ........     59,457      69,875      56,821    (14.9)    23.0
Earnings per common share:
  Basic ..................................   $   1.36    $   1.59    $   1.29    (14.5)    23.3
  Diluted ................................       1.35        1.58        1.27    (14.6)    24.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  EBITDA is not a  financial  performance  measurement  under  United  States
     generally  accepted  accounting   principles  (GAAP),  and  should  not  be
     considered   in  isolation  or  as  a  substitute   for  GAAP   performance
     measurements.  EBITDA is also not reflected in the consolidated  statements
     of cash flows,  but it is a common and meaningful  alternative  performance
     measurement for comparison to other  companies in the newspaper  publishing
     industry.  The computation excludes other nonoperating items, primarily the
     gains  and  losses  on sales of  businesses  and  losses  related  to other
     ventures.
</FN>



                                  2001 VS 2000

Revenue, as reported in the Consolidated  Financial Statements,  consists of the
following:

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Year Ended September 30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Percent
(Thousands)                                                        2001       2000      Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
Advertising revenue:
  Retail .....................................................   $169,790   $160,766      5.6%
  National ...................................................     10,345      9,317     11.0
  Classified:
    Employment ...............................................     28,200     31,234     (9.7)
    Automotive ...............................................     20,971     21,990     (4.6)
    Real estate ..............................................     16,091     15,614      3.1
    All other ................................................     38,727     37,292      3.8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total classified ...........................................    103,989    106,130     (2.0)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total advertising ............................................    284,124    276,213      2.9
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Circulation ..................................................     82,128     80,468      2.1
Other:
  Commercial printing ........................................     26,767     26,652      0.4
  Internet/online ............................................      4,380      3,250     34.8
  Niche publications and other ...............................     25,843     26,609     (2.9)
  Editorial service contracts, Internet service fees and other     10,260      8,944     14.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   67,250     65,455      2.7
Equity in net income of associated companies .................      7,651      9,377    (18.4)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenue ......................................   $441,153   $431,513      2.2%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The following  discussion  of revenue and operating  expenses is presented on an
operations basis,  which includes 100% of the revenue and expenses of MNI, which
is owned 50% by the  Company and  accounted  for in the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements  using the  equity  method.  It is also  exclusive  of  acquisitions,
divestitures  and corporate  expenses.  The Company  believes  such  comparisons
provide the most meaningful information for an understanding of its business.

In 2001, total advertising revenue decreased $4,527,000, or 1.4%. Retail revenue
in the Company's markets was not as adversely impacted by the slowing economy as
major  metropolitan  markets,  and  increased  $1,305,000,  or  0.7%,  in  2001.
Increased emphasis on rate discipline and new accounts helped offset declines in
advertising volume. Retail rates increased 3.0% in 2001.

Classified advertising revenue decreased approximately  $5,963,000,  or 4.5%, in
2001. Higher margin employment advertising at the daily newspapers accounted for
approximately 96% of the decrease and declined 12.5% for the year. Unit declines
in  employment  classified  advertising  compare  favorably  to national  survey
amounts.  The automotive  category decreased to a lesser extent (6.1%) and other
categories were flat.

Circulation revenue decreased $1,038,000, or 1.1%. The Company's daily newspaper
circulation  increased  0.7% and Sunday  circulation  declined  0.2% for the six
months ended September 30, 2001, the first upward movement in circulation  since
1998,  and the Company's best  performance in the last 10 years.  The Company is
focused on growing circulation through a number of initiatives.

Other revenue increased  $986,000,  or 1.4%.  Internet/online  revenue increased
$1,299,000,  or 36.7%,  due to growth in  advertising  revenue and cross selling
with the Company's newspapers.


The  following  table sets  forth the  percentage  of  revenue of the  Company's
operating expenses:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2001           2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compensation .....................................          35.5%          34.3%
Newsprint and ink ................................          10.4            9.5
Other operating expenses .........................          22.5           21.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            68.4           65.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA ...........................................          31.6           34.6
Depreciation and amortization ....................           5.9            5.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating margin .................................          25.7%          28.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs other than depreciation and amortization increased  $11,888,000,  or 3.7%.
Compensation  expense  increased  $4,339,000,  or 2.5%, due to additional  sales
personnel to drive local ad revenue,  increases in medical  costs,  and one-time
costs related to workforce reductions totaling approximately $500,000.  Overall,
full-time  equivalent  personnel  declined  0.4%,  2.6% in the fourth quarter of
2001,  which will  mitigate  normal  increases  in  compensation  costs in 2002.
Newsprint and ink costs  increased  $4,169,000,  or 8.8%, as the result of price
increases offset in part by conservation  efforts that decreased  consumption by
4.5%.  Other  operating  costs,  exclusive  of  depreciation  and  amortization,
increased  $3,380,000,  or 3.1%.  Increases in provisions for doubtful  accounts
accounted for approximately one-third of the increase.

Included in corporate  expenses,  but not in the comparison above, is $1,700,000
of  one-time  costs in 2001  related to exiting  certain  benefit  programs  and
workforce reductions.

Nonoperating Income and Income Taxes

Financial income increased  $25,289,000 to $28,548,000 in 2001, due primarily to
income earned on invested net proceeds from the sale of the Company's  broadcast
properties  in  October  2000.  The  Company  expects a  significant  decline in
financial income in 2002 as reinvestment rates for its investment portfolio have
decreased substantially. Further, the Company's invested balances have decreased
due to required  income tax payments,  offset to some extent by funds  generated
from operations.

In 2001, other nonoperating income consists primarily of realized and unrealized
losses on the sale of several small  publishing  operations and the writedown of
certain  nonoperating  assets.  In  2000,  other  nonoperating  income  consists
primarily of gains from the sale of publishing properties.

Income taxes were 35.7% and 36.6% of pretax  income from  continuing  operations
for 2001 and  2000,  respectively.  Income  taxes  were  reduced  in 2001 due to
tax-exempt interest income and a lower effective state income tax rate.


                                  2000 VS. 1999

Revenue, as reported in the Consolidated  Financial Statements,  consists of the
following:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Year Ended September 30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Percent
(Thousands)                                                         2000       1999       Change
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 
Advertising revenue:
  Retail ......................................................   $160,766   $155,379       3.5%
  National ....................................................      9,317      8,736       6.7
  Classified:
    Employment ................................................     31,234     26,390      18.4
    Automotive ................................................     21,990     20,330       8.2
    Real estate ...............................................     15,614     13,318      17.2
    All other .................................................     37,292     40,239      (7.3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total classified ............................................    106,130    100,277       5.8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total advertising .............................................    276,213    264,392       4.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Circulation revenue ...........................................     80,468     83,102      (3.2)
Other:
   Commercial printing ........................................     26,652     23,775      12.1
   Internet/online ............................................      3,250      1,598     103.4
   Niche publications and other ...............................     26,609     22,997      15.7
   Editorial service contracts, Internet service fees and other      8,944      8,744       2.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    65,455     57,114      14.6
Equity in net income of associated companies ..................      9,377      9,238       1.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenue .......................................   $431,513   $413,846       4.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The following  discussion  of revenue and operating  expenses is presented on an
operations basis,  which includes 100% of the revenue and expenses of MNI, which
is owned 50% by the  Company and  accounted  for in the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements  using the  equity  method.  It is also  exclusive  of  acquisitions,
divestitures  and corporate  expenses.  The Company  believes  such  comparisons
provide the most meaningful information for an understanding of its business.

In 2000,  total  advertising  revenue  increased  $10,003,000,  or 3.2%.  Retail
revenue in the Company's markets increased $3,702,000,  or 2.1%, in 2000. Volume
increases resulting from emphasis on price incentives drove the increase.

Classified advertising revenue increased approximately  $5,177,000,  or 4.1%, in
2000. Employment, automotive and real estate advertising all increased.

Circulation revenue decreased  $1,874,000,  or 1.9%, primarily due to a decrease
in units.  Daily  newspaper  circulation  declined  2.7% and Sunday  circulation
declined 1.6% for the six months ended September 30, 2000.

Other  revenue  increased  $1,176,000,  or 1.7%.  Niche  publications  and other
revenue increased  $2,915,000,  or 10.5%, with the introduction of new products.
Internet/online  revenue  increased  $1,690,000,  or  91.3%,  due to  growth  in
advertising revenue.  Commercial printing declined $3,859,000,  offsetting other
increases.

The  following  table sets  forth the  percentage  of  revenue of the  Company's
operating expenses:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2000           1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compensation .....................................          34.3%          33.6%
Newsprint and ink ................................           9.5            9.6
Other operating expenses .........................          21.9           22.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            65.7           65.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA ...........................................          34.3           34.5
Depreciation and amortization ....................           5.5            5.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating margin .................................          28.8%          28.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Costs other than depreciation and amortization  increased  $6,792,000,  or 2.1%.
Compensation expense increased  $6,572,000,  or 4.0%, due to normal increases in
rates.  Newsprint  and ink costs were flat as price  increases  were offset by a
3.7% decline in volume.  Other operating  costs,  exclusive of depreciation  and
amortization, increased $202,000, or 0.2%.

Nonoperating Income and Income Taxes

In 2000, other nonoperating  income consists primarily of gains from the sale of
publishing properties.

Income taxes were 36.6% and 34.8% of pretax  income from  continuing  operations
for 2000 and 1999, respectively. Income taxes were reduced by $1,500,000 in 1999
due to favorable settlement of a contested matter.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In March 2000,  the Board of Directors of the Company  made a  determination  to
sell its broadcast properties. In May 2000 the Company entered into an agreement
to sell  substantially all of its broadcasting  operations,  consisting of eight
network-affiliated   and  seven   satellite   television   stations,   to  Emmis
Communications  Corporation and consummated the transaction in October 2000. The
net proceeds of  approximately  $565,000,000  resulted in an after-tax  gain for
financial reporting purposes of approximately $251,000,000.  The results for the
broadcast  properties have been  classified as  discontinued  operations for all
periods presented.

In July 2001, the Company completed the sale of its last broadcasting  property.
Net proceeds of the sale totaled approximately $7,000,000. The after-tax gain of
approximately $4,000,000 on the sale is reflected in discontinued operations.

Operating  revenue  of the  broadcast  properties  for  2001,  2000 and 1999 was
$647,000, $122,857,000 and $122,487,000, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash provided by continuing  operations was $107,164,000 for 2001,  $103,198,000
in 2000 and $77,220,000 in 1999.

The Company anticipates that funds necessary for capital expenditures, which are
expected to total approximately $12,000,000 in 2002, and other requirements will
be available from internally  generated funds, its investment  portfolio and, if
necessary,  by  accessing  the capital  markets.  The  Company  has  substantial
liquidity  and unused  borrowing  capacity,  including a  $50,000,000  unsecured
revolving credit agreement that expires in 2003.

Under  the  terms of its 1998  note  purchase  agreement,  the  Company  will be
required to repay the then  outstanding  balance of  $161,800,000  on October 1,
2002,  unless the Company  reinvests  the net  proceeds of the sale of broadcast
operations  or  obtains  a waiver of that  provision  of the  agreement.  If the
Company is required to repay the debt prior to the  original  maturity  date,  a
prepayment  penalty  based on interest  rates at the time of  repayment  will be
required.  If the  debt is  required  to be  repaid  on  October  1,  2002,  the
prepayment penalty would be approximately  $14,200,000,  based on interest rates
at September 30, 2001.

Other  covenants  under this agreement are not considered  restrictive to normal
operations or historical amounts of stockholder dividends.

SEASONALITY

The Company's  largest  source of publishing  revenue,  retail  advertising,  is
seasonal  and  tends  to  fluctuate   with  retail  sales  in  markets   served.
Historically,  retail run-of-press  advertising is higher in the first and third
fiscal  quarters.  Newspaper  classified  advertising  revenue  is lowest in the
second fiscal quarter.

Quarterly  results of operations are  summarized in Note 13 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements, included herein.

OTHER FACTORS

The Company has not been significantly  impacted by inflationary  pressures over
the  last  several  years.  The  Company  anticipates  that  changing  costs  of
newsprint,  its basic raw material,  may impact future  operating  costs.  Price
increases (or decreases) for the Company's  products are implemented when deemed
appropriate by management.  The Company continuously  evaluates price increases,
productivity  improvements  and  cost  reductions  to  mitigate  the  impact  of
inflation.


MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company is exposed to market risk  stemming  from changes in interest  rates
and  commodity  prices.  Changes in these factors  could cause  fluctuations  in
earnings and cash flows.  In the normal course of business,  exposure to certain
of these market risks is managed as described below.

Interest Rates

Interest rate risk in the Company's investment portfolio is managed by investing
only in securities  with a maturity at date of  acquisition of 180 days or less.
The average  maturity of the  investment  portfolio is 57 days at September  30,
2001. Only high-quality investments are considered.

The Company's debt structure and interest rate risk are managed  through the use
of fixed and floating  rate debt.  The Company's  primary  exposure is to United
States interest rates.

Commodities

Certain  materials  used by the Company are exposed to commodity  price changes.
The Company  manages this risk through  instruments  such as purchase orders and
non-cancelable  supply  contracts.  The Company is also  involved in  continuing
programs to mitigate  the impact of cost  increases  through  identification  of
sourcing and  operating  efficiencies.  Primary  commodity  price  exposures are
newsprint and, to a lesser extent, ink.

A $10 per ton  newsprint  price  increase  would result in a reduction in income
from  continuing  operations  before  income  taxes of  approximately  $660,000,
excluding MNI.

Sensitivity to Changes in Value

The  estimates  that follow are intended to measure the maximum  potential  fair
value or earnings  the Company  could lose in one year from  adverse  changes in
market interest rates under normal market  conditions.  The calculations are not
intended to represent  actual  losses in fair value or earnings that the Company
expects to incur.  The  estimates  do not consider  favorable  changes in market
rates.   The  positions   included  in  the   calculations  are  temporary  cash
investments,  which total  $211,221,000  at September 30, 2001,  and  fixed-rate
debt, which totals $173,400,000.

The table below presents the estimated maximum  potential  one-year loss in fair
value and  earnings  before  income  taxes from a 100 basis  point  movement  in
interest rates on market risk sensitive instruments outstanding at September 30,
2001:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                           Estimated Impact on
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Income from
                                                                  Continuing
                                                               Operations Before
                                                    Fair Value   Income Taxes
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temporary cash investments ..................        $  (330)         $(1,780)
Fixed rate debt .............................         (7,800)              --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information with respect to this Item is included in Management's Discussion and
Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations  under the heading
"Market Risk Management."

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Information  with  respect  to this Item is  included  herein on pages 17 to 38,
immediately following Part IV.

Item 9. Changes  In and  Disagreements  With  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
        Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.


PART III

Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information with respect to this Item, except for certain  information  included
under the  heading  "Officers"  in Part I of this Form 10-K,  is included in the
Company's Proxy Statement dated December 27, 2001, which is incorporated  herein
reference,  under the  headings  "Proposal  One -  Election  of  Directors"  and
"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."

Item 11.   Executive Compensation

Information  with  respect  to this  Item is  included  in the  Company's  Proxy
Statement dated December 27, 2001,  which is  incorporated  herein by reference,
under the headings  "Proposal  One - Election of  Directors,"  "Compensation  of
Directors" and "Executive Compensation;" provided,  however, that the subsection
entitled  "Executive   Compensation  -  Report  of  the  Executive  Compensation
Committee  of the Board of Directors  on  Executive  Compensation"  shall not be
deemed to be incorporated by reference.

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Information  with  respect  to this  Item is  included  in the  Company's  Proxy
Statement dated December 27, 2001,  which is  incorporated  herein by reference,
under the heading "Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof."

Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Not applicable.


PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K


The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:

Financial Statements

   Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2001 and 2000
   Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended
     September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999
   Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
     - Years ended September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999
   Consolidated  Statements  of Cash  Flows - Years  ended
     September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
   Independent Auditor's Report
   Report of Management

Financial Statement Schedules

   II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Years ended
          September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999

   All other schedules have been omitted as not required, not applicable, not
   deemed material or because the information is included in the Notes to
   Consolidated Financial Statements.

Exhibits

    21 Subsidiaries
    23 Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
    24 Power of Attorney

Reports on Form 8-K

The  Company  filed a report on Form 8-K dated  September  5, 2001.  The Company
reported  under Item 5 that it has  amended  its 1998 Note  Purchase  Agreement,
extending the period for required  reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of its
broadcast properties to October 1, 2002.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to
be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized on the
27th day of December 2001.

LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

/s/ Mary E. Junck                        /s/ Carl G. Schmidt
- -------------------------------------    ----------------------------------
Mary E. Junck                            Carl G. Schmidt
President and Chief Executive Officer    Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                         and Treasurer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following  persons on behalf of the  Registrant and
in their respective capacities on the 15th day of November, 2001.

      Signature

/s/ Rance E. Crain                       Director
- -------------------------------------
Rance E. Crain

/s/ Richard D. Gottlieb                  Chairman of the Board and Director
- -------------------------------------
Richard D. Gottlieb

/s/ J. P. Guerin                         Director
- -------------------------------------
J. P. Guerin

/s/ Mary E. Junck                        President and Chief Executive Officer
- -------------------------------------    and Director
Mary E. Junck

/s/ William E. Mayer                     Director
- -------------------------------------
William E. Mayer

/s/ Herbert W. Moloney III               Director
- -------------------------------------
Herbert W. Moloney III

/s/ Andrew E. Newman                     Director
- -------------------------------------
Andrew E. Newman

/s/ Gordon D. Prichett                   Director
- -------------------------------------
Gordon D. Prichett

/s/ Gregory P. Schermer                  Vice President - Interactive Media
- -------------------------------------    and Corporate Counsel and Director
Gregory P. Schermer

/s/ Phyllis Sewell                       Director
- -------------------------------------
Phyllis Sewell

/s/ Mark Vittert                         Director
- -------------------------------------
Mark Vittert


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                           PAGE


Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Independent Auditor's Report

Report of Management


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Share Data)                                2001         2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      
ASSETS

Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ................................   $  272,169   $   29,427
  Temporary cash investments ...............................      211,221           --
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts:
    2001 $4,419; 2000 $3,344 ...............................       41,349       41,212
  Receivable from associated companies .....................        1,500        1,500
  Inventories ..............................................        3,997        4,280
  Other ....................................................        7,441        7,380
  Net assets of discontinued operations ....................           --      167,767
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  537,677      251,566
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments:
  Associated companies .....................................       18,940       19,155
  Other ....................................................       13,585       15,021
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   32,525       34,176
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment:
  Land and improvements ....................................       10,958       11,473
  Buildings and improvements ...............................       62,914       63,893
  Equipment ................................................      179,052      172,366
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  252,924      247,732
  Less accumulated depreciation ............................      133,863      120,376
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  119,061      127,356
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets ..........................................      310,590      332,520
Other ......................................................          544          615
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               $1,000,397   $  746,233
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  September 30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2001          2000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt   $    11,600    $    49,532
  Accounts payable .....................................        10,825         14,242
  Compensation and other accrued liabilities ...........        27,232         27,603
  Income taxes payable .................................        57,281          7,799
  Unearned income ......................................        18,201         18,451
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               125,139        117,627
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt, net of current maturities ..............       161,800        173,400
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred items:
  Retirement and compensation ..........................        13,178         13,418
  Income taxes .........................................        18,336         46,621
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                31,514         60,039
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity:
  Serial convertible preferred, no par value;
    authorized 500 shares; issued none .................            --             --
  Common Stock, $2 par value; authorized ...............        67,318         66,140
    60,000 shares; issued and outstanding:
      2001 33,659 shares;
      2000 33,070 shares
  Class B Common Stock, $2 par value; authorized .......        20,758         21,480
    30,000 shares; issued and outstanding:
      2001 10,379 shares;
      2000 10,740 shares
  Additional paid-in capital ...........................        48,164         37,330
  Unearned compensation ................................        (1,130)        (1,227)
  Retained earnings ....................................       546,834        271,444
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               681,944        395,167
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           $ 1,000,397    $   746,233
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  accompanying  Notes  are an  integral  part of the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Year Ended September 30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)                  2001         2000        1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         
Operating revenue:
  Advertising .......................................   $ 284,124    $ 276,213    $ 264,392
  Circulation .......................................      82,128       80,468       83,102
  Other .............................................      67,250       65,455       57,114
  Equity in net income of associated companies ......       7,651        9,377        9,238
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          441,153      431,513      413,846
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses:
  Compensation ......................................     170,726      158,884      150,462
  Newsprint and ink .................................      43,011       38,625       37,447
  Depreciation ......................................      16,398       14,546       13,766
  Amortization of intangible assets .................      15,760       14,780       13,820
  Other .............................................     109,242      102,211      100,982
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          355,137      329,046      316,477
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income ....................................      86,016      102,467       97,369
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-operating (income) expense, net:
  Financial income ..................................     (28,548)      (3,259)      (1,920)
  Financial expense .................................      11,963       12,643       12,863
  Other, net ........................................      10,167      (17,132)        (738)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (6,418)      (7,748)      10,205
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes      92,434      110,215       87,164
Income tax expense ..................................      32,977       40,340       30,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations ...................      59,457       69,875       56,821
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discontinued operations:
  Income from discontinued operations, net of
    income tax effect ...............................          --        4,738       11,152
  Gain on disposition, net of income tax effect .....     254,771        9,050           --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          254,771       13,788       11,152
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ..........................................   $ 314,228    $  83,663    $  67,973
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common share:
  Basic:
    Continuing operations ...........................   $    1.36    $    1.59    $    1.29
    Discontinued operations .........................        5.82         0.31         0.25
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ..........................................   $    7.18    $    1.90    $    1.54
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted:
    Continuing operations ...........................   $    1.35    $    1.58    $    1.27
    Discontinued operations .........................        5.78         0.31         0.25
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ..........................................   $    7.13    $    1.89    $    1.52
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The  accompanying  Notes  are an  integral  part of the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)                              Year Ended September 30
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Amount                                 Shares
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------
                                               2001         2000         1999          2001        2000         1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------
                                                                                            
Common Stock:
Balance, beginning of year .............   $  66,140    $  66,142    $  65,144       33,070       33,071       32,572
  Conversion from Class B
    Common Stock .......................         694          770        1,116          347          385          558
  Shares issued ........................       1,194          478          286          597          239          143
  Shares reacquired ....................        (710)      (1,250)        (404)        (355)        (625)        (202)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------
Balance, end of year ...................      67,318       66,140       66,142       33,659       33,070       33,071
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------

Class B Common Stock:
  Balance, beginning of year ...........      21,480       22,376       23,556       10,740       11,188       11,778
    Conversion to Common
      Stock ............................        (694)        (770)      (1,116)        (347)        (385)        (558)
    Shares reacquired ..................         (28)        (126)         (64)         (14)         (63)         (32)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------
Balance, end of year ...................      20,758       21,480       22,376       10,379       10,740       11,188
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------

Additional Paid-In Capital:
  Balance, beginning of year ...........      37,330       32,641       28,715
    Shares issued ......................      10,834        4,689        3,926
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of year ...................      48,164       37,330       32,641
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unearned Compensation:
  Balance, beginning of year ...........      (1,227)        (961)        (650)
    Restricted shares issued ...........      (1,136)      (1,364)      (1,081)
    Restricted shares canceled .........         251          283           45
    Amortization .......................         982          815          725
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of year ...................      (1,130)      (1,227)        (961)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Retained Earnings:
  Balance, beginning of year ...........     271,444      234,131      202,994
    Net income .........................     314,228       83,663       67,973
    Cash dividends per
      common share: ....................     (29,797)     (28,288)     (26,623)
      2001 $0.68;
      2000 $0.64;
      1999 $0.60
    Shares reacquired ..................      (9,041)     (18,062)     (10,213)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of year ...................     546,834      271,444      234,131
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity .............   $ 681,944    $ 395,167    $ 354,329       44,038       43,810       44,259
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------


The  accompanying  Notes  are an  integral  part of the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                      2001         2000         1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
Cash provided by operating activities:
  Net income ...............................................   $ 314,228    $  83,663    $  67,973
  Less: discontinued operations ............................     254,771       13,788       11,152
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations ..........................      59,457       69,875       56,821
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing
  operations to net cash provided by operating
  activities of continuing operations:
    Depreciation and amortization ..........................      32,158       29,326       27,586
    Losses (gains) on sales, or expected sales, of assets ..       6,233      (18,439)        (738)
    Distributions less than earnings of associated companies        (552)      (2,891)      (2,220)
    Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects
      from business acquisitions:
    Decrease (increase) in receivables .....................        (654)       2,422       (3,491)
    Decrease (increase) in inventories and other ...........         113        3,751       (1,218)
    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable,
      accrued expenses and unearned income .................      (5,232)       8,357       (1,620)
    Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable ............       6,449        2,421       (1,097)
    Other ..................................................       9,192        8,376        3,197
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities ..................     107,164      103,198       77,220
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash required for investing activities:
  Purchases of temporary cash investments ..................    (872,836)          --           --
  Proceeds from sales of temporary cash investments ........     661,615           --           --
  Purchases of property and equipment ......................      (9,904)     (25,392)     (24,938)
  Acquisitions, net ........................................      (4,518)     (71,609)     (15,416)
  Proceeds from sales of assets ............................       5,341        8,775          492
  Other ....................................................      (3,002)         929       (3,867)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash required for investing activities .................    (223,304)     (87,297)     (43,729)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash required for financing activities:
  Proceeds from (payments on) short-term notes payable, net      (37,937)      30,500        6,000
  Payments on long-term debt ...............................     (11,600)          --      (25,000)
  Purchases of common stock ................................     (10,050)     (20,021)     (11,830)
  Cash dividends paid ......................................     (29,797)     (28,288)     (26,623)
  Other, primarily issuance of common stock ................      11,358        4,210        4,418
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash required for financing activities .................     (78,026)     (13,599)     (53,035)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by discontinued operations ...............     436,908       16,589       13,139
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and  cash equivalents ......     242,742       18,891       (6,405)
Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of year ........................................      29,427       10,536       16,941
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  End of year ..............................................   $ 272,169    $  29,427    $  10,536
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The  accompanying  Notes  are an  integral  part of the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company  directly,  and  through  its  ownership  of  associated  companies,
publishes 28 daily  newspapers  and more than 100 other weekly,  classified  and
specialty publications, along with associated online services.

NOTE 1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

Certain  amounts as previously  reported have been  reclassified to conform with
the current year presentation.

Accounting estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally  accepted in the United States of America requires  management to make
estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amount of  assets  and
liabilities,  revenue and expenses during the reporting  period.  Actual results
could differ from those estimates.

Principles of consolidation

The Consolidated  Financial  Statements  include the accounts of the Company and
its  wholly,  or  majority-owned,  subsidiaries.  All  significant  intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.

Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of reporting cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid
debt instruments  purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at
date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.

Investments

All temporary  cash  investments,  consisting  of municipal  and corporate  debt
securities,  are classified as held to maturity,  as the Company has the ability
and the positive  intent to do so. Such securities are stated at amortized cost,
adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Due to the short
term nature of these investments, carrying value approximates fair value.

Investments  in the common stock of  associated  companies  are reported at cost
plus the Company's  share of  undistributed  earnings  since  acquisition,  less
amortization of intangible assets.

Other investments primarily consist of marketable securities held in trust under
a deferred compensation arrangement. These investments are classified as trading
securities  and  carried at fair value  with  gains and losses  reported  in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Inventories

Newsprint  inventories are priced at the lower of cost or market with cost being
determined primarily by the last-in,  first-out method. Newsprint inventories at
September 30, 2001 and 2000 were less than  replacement  cost by $2,954,000  and
$4,481,000, respectively.

Property and equipment

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings and improvements ................................              5 - 25
Publishing:
  Printing presses ........................................             15 - 20
  Other major equipment ...................................              3 - 11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company  capitalizes  interest as a  component  of the cost of  constructing
major facilities.


Intangible assets

Intangible  assets  include  covenants  not to compete,  consulting  agreements,
customer lists,  newspaper subscriber lists, and the excess cost over fair value
of net assets of businesses acquired.

The  excess  cost over fair  value of net  tangible  assets  include  $6,493,000
incurred prior to October 31, 1970,  which is not being  amortized.  Excess cost
related  to  specialty  publications  is being  amortized  over 10 to 15  years.
Intangible assets representing  non-compete  covenants,  consulting  agreements,
customer lists, and newspaper  subscriber lists are being amortized over periods
of 3 to 40 years.  The remaining  costs are being  amortized over a period of 40
years. All intangible assets are amortized by the straight-line method.

The Company  annually  reviews its  intangibles and other  long-lived  assets to
determine potential impairment.  In performing the review, the Company estimates
the  future  cash  flows  expected  to result  from the use of the asset and its
eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted
and without interest  charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an
impairment  is  recognized.  The amount of  impairment  is  measured  based upon
projected  discounted  future cash flows using a discount  rate  reflecting  the
Company's average cost of capital.

In 2001 the Company  reduced  the  carrying  value of certain of its  intangible
assets by $4,775,000.  This amount is classified as non-operating expense in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Revenue recognition

Advertising and circulation revenue is recognized based on date of publication.

Unearned income

Unearned  income  arises  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  from  advance
subscription  payments for  newspapers.  Revenue is  recognized in the period in
which it is earned.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs, which are not material, are expensed as incurred.

Income taxes

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

Restricted stock

The Company  amortizes as  compensation  expense the value of restricted  stock,
issued under a long-term  incentive plan, by the  straight-line  method over the
three-year restriction period.

NOTE 2.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

In March 2000,  the Board of Directors of the Company  made a  determination  to
sell its broadcast properties. In May 2000 the Company entered into an agreement
to sell  substantially all of its broadcasting  operations,  consisting of eight
network-affiliated   and  seven   satellite   television   stations,   to  Emmis
Communications  Corporation and consummated the transaction in October 2000. The
net proceeds of  approximately  $565,000,000  resulted in an after-tax  gain for
financial reporting purposes of approximately $251,000,000.  The results for the
broadcast  properties have been  classified as  discontinued  operations for all
periods presented.

In July 2001, the Company completed the sale of its last broadcasting  property.
Net proceeds of the sale totaled approximately $7,000,000. The after-tax gain of
approximately $4,000,000 on the sale is reflected in discontinued operations.


Income from discontinued operations consists of the following:

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Year Ended September 30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                  2001       2000       1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
Operating revenue ......................................   $    647   $122,857   $122,487
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from, or gain on sale of, discontinued operations   $402,697   $ 23,620   $ 19,371
Income tax expense .....................................    147,926      9,832      8,219
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           $254,771   $ 13,788   $ 11,152
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


At September 30, 2000,  the assets and  liabilities of  discontinued  operations
consisted of the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
  Accounts receivable, net ..................................           $ 23,493
  Program rights and other ..................................              8,190
  Property and equipment, net ...............................             29,775
  Intangible and other assets ...............................            122,310
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         183,768
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities:
  Current liabilities .......................................             13,072
  Deferred items and other ..................................              2,929
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          16,001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets of discontinued operations .......................           $167,767
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 2000, the Company  acquired a daily newspaper and specialty  publications and
received  $9,300,000 of cash in exchange for all the assets and  liabilities  of
two  of  its  daily   newspapers  and  the  related   specialty  and  classified
publications. In connection with this transaction, the Company recognized a gain
on sale of $18,439,000.

In  addition,   the  Company   acquired  six  weekly   newspapers  or  specialty
publications  and  increased  its  ownership  in an  Internet  venture  in 2001;
acquired three daily newspapers, and several weekly newspapers and classified or
specialty publications in 2000; and one daily newspaper,  two weekly newspapers,
and several classified or specialty publications in 1999.

All acquisitions were accounted for as purchases and,  accordingly,  the results
of operations  since the  respective  dates of  acquisition  are included in the
Consolidated Financial Statements. Acquisitions and dispositions in 2001 did not
have a significant effect on operating results.

The  purchase  prices of  businesses  acquired or  exchanged  were  allocated as
follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                    2001         2000         1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noncash working capital .................    $   (301)    $  1,475     $   (100)
Property and equipment ..................       1,049        8,197        1,207
Intangible assets .......................       3,770       74,745       16,048
Other long-term assets ..................          --           54           --
Issuance of note payable ................          --         (432)      (1,000)
Deferred items ..........................          --       (1,170)        (739)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                4,518       82,869       15,416
Less fair value of assets exchanged .....          --       11,260           --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash purchase price ...............    $  4,518     $ 71,609     $ 15,416
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


In 2001,  the Company sold several weekly and specialty  publications.  Proceeds
from sales of properties or exchanges consisted of the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                 2001          2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noncash working capital .............................     $    519      $    111
Property and equipment ..............................        1,319           764
Intangible assets ...................................        4,961           721
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             6,799         1,596
Gain (loss) recognized on sales of properties .......       (1,458)       18,439
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             5,341        20,035
Less fair value of assets exchanged .................         --          11,260
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeds from sales of properties ...................     $  5,341      $  8,775
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 3.  INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATED COMPENIES

The Company has a 50% ownership  interest in Madison  Newspapers,  Inc. (MNI), a
company that publishes daily and Sunday  newspapers,  and other  publications in
Madison,  three  other  daily  newspapers  and  various  other  publications  in
Wisconsin; and also holds interests in Internet service ventures.

Summarized financial information of MNI is as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                 2001          2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
  Current assets ...................................       $21,805       $28,102
  Investments and other assets .....................        32,175        34,025
  Property and equipment, net ......................        14,810        14,044
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           $68,790       $76,171
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
  Current liabilities ..............................       $18,911       $23,394
  Long-term debt ...................................        12,000        16,000
  Stockholders' equity .............................        37,879        36,777
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           $68,790       $76,171
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                         2001       2000       1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue .......................................   $105,880   $ 97,279   $ 90,626
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation
  and amortization ............................     76,337     64,769     58,705
Operating income ..............................     24,824     29,781     29,325
Net income ....................................     15,302     18,791     18,461
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accounts  receivable  from associated  companies  consist of dividends from MNI.
Fees for editorial services provided to MNI by the Company are included in other
revenue and totaled  $8,929,000,  $8,944,000,  and $8,744,000 in 2001,  2000 and
1999,  respectively.   Certain  other  information  relating  to  the  Company's
investment in MNI is as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                             2001               2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company's share of:
  Stockholders' equity .....................           $18,940           $18,388
  Undistributed earnings ...................            18,690            18,164
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NOTE 4.  DEBT

The Company has a $50,000,000  unsecured  revolving credit agreement with a bank
group that  expires in 2003.  Interest  rates  float at rates  specified  in the
agreement.  The Company had  borrowings of  $37,500,000  under this agreement at
September 30, 2000.

Long-term debt consists of the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                  2001         2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1998 note purchase agreement, 6.14% to 6.64%,
  due in varying amounts from 2002 to 2013 ...........     $173,400     $185,000
Less current maturities ..............................       11,600       11,600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           $161,800     $173,400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aggregate  maturities  during the next five years are $11,600,000,  $11,600,000,
$36,600,000, $11,600,000, and $12,400,000,  respectively. Under the terms of its
1998 note  purchase  agreement,  the Company  will be required to repay the then
outstanding  balance  of  $161,800,000  on October  1, 2002  unless the  Company
reinvests  the net proceeds of sale of broadcast  operations or obtains a waiver
of that provision of the agreement. If the Company is required to repay the debt
prior to the original  maturity  date, a  prepayment  penalty  based on interest
rates at the time of repayment will be required. If the debt were required to be
repaid on  October  1,  2002,  the  prepayment  penalty  would be  approximately
$14,200,000,  based on interest rates as of September 30, 2001.  Covenants under
these  agreements  are  not  considered  restrictive  to  normal  operations  or
historical amounts of stockholder dividends.

NOTE 5.  RETIREMENT PLANS

Substantially  all the  Company's  employees  are eligible to  participate  in a
qualified defined contribution retirement plan. The Company has other retirement
and  compensation  plans for executives and others.  Retirement and compensation
plan  costs,  including  interest  on deferred  compensation  costs,  charged to
continuing  operations  were  $9,800,000  in  2001,   $10,200,000  in  2000  and
$10,800,000 in 1999.

NOTE 6.  COMMON STOCK, CLASS B COMMON STOCK, AND PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS

Class B Common Stock has ten votes per share on all matters and generally  votes
as a class with Common  Stock  (which has one vote per share).  The  transfer of
Class B  Common  Stock is  restricted.  Class B  Common  Stock  is at all  times
convertible into shares of Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock have  identical  rights with respect to cash  dividends
and upon  liquidation.  All outstanding  Class B Common Stock converts to Common
Stock  when the  shares  of Class B Common  Stock  outstanding  total  less than
5,600,000 shares.

In 1998,  the Board of Directors  adopted a  Shareholder  Rights Plan  ("Plan").
Under the Plan,  the Board  declared a dividend of one Preferred  Share Purchase
Right  ("Right") for each  outstanding  share of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock (collectively "Common Shares") of the Company.  Rights are attached to and
automatically trade with the Company's Common Shares.

Rights  become  exercisable  only in the  event  that  any  person  or  group of
affiliated persons becomes a holder of 20% or more of the Company's  outstanding
Common Shares,  or commences a tender or exchange offer which,  if  consummated,
would result in that person or group of affiliated  persons  owning at least 20%
of the Company's  outstanding Common Shares. Once the Rights become exercisable,
they entitle all other  shareholders to purchase,  by payment of a $150 exercise
price, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating  Preferred Stock,
subject to adjustment, with a value of twice the exercise price. In addition, at
any time after a 20% position is acquired and prior to the  acquisition of a 50%
position,  the  Board of  Directors  may  require,  in  whole  or in part,  each
outstanding  Right (other than Rights held by the  acquiring  person or group of
affiliated  persons)  to be  exchanged  for one  share  of  Common  Stock or one
one-thousandth  of a share of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock.  The  Rights  may be
redeemed at a price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to their expiration on
May 31, 2008.


NOTE 7.  STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

At September 30, 2001, the Company has three stock-based  compensation plans. As
permitted under generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  grants under those
plans  are   accounted   for   following   APB   Opinion   No.  25  and  related
interpretations.  Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost has been  recognized  for
grants under the stock option or stock purchase plans.

Had  compensation  costs  for all of the  stock-based  compensation  plans  been
determined  based on the grant date fair values of awards (the method  described
in FASB  Statement  No. 123),  reported net income and earnings per common share
would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts shown below:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)       2001         2000         1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income:
  As reported ...........................     $314,228     $ 83,663     $ 67,973
  Pro forma .............................      312,470       82,035       66,600
Earnings per common share:
  Basic:
    As reported .........................     $   7.18     $   1.90     $   1.54
    Pro forma ...........................         7.14         1.86         1.50
  Diluted:
    As reported .........................         7.13         1.89         1.52
    Pro forma ...........................         7.09         1.85         1.49
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stock options and restricted stock

The Company has  reserved  4,319,000  shares of Common Stock for issuance to key
employees under an incentive and nonstatutory  stock option and restricted stock
plan approved by stockholders. Options have been granted at a price equal to the
fair  market  value on the date of  grant,  and are  exercisable  in  cumulative
installments  over a ten-year period.  The fair value of each grant is estimated
at the  grant  date  using  the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  with  the
following  weighted-average  assumptions  for grants:  dividend rates of 2.0% to
2.6%;  price volatility of 18.5% to 21.0%;  risk-free  interest rates based upon
the life of the option  ranging from 4.4% to 6.7%; and expected lives based upon
the life of the option ranging from 0.7 to 8 years.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Number of Shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                     2001         2000         1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under option, beginning of year .........       1,178        1,258        1,491
  Granted ...............................         355          282          185
  Exercised .............................        (547)        (336)        (397)
  Terminated and canceled ...............         (19)         (26)         (21)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under option, end of year ...............         967        1,178        1,258
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable, end of year ................         467          767          945
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average prices of options are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         2001     2000     1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Granted .............................................   $27.24   $29.11   $27.62
Exercised ...........................................    18.83    14.15    15.45
Under option, end of year ...........................    26.44    22.72    19.09
Weighted-average fair value of options granted ......     6.97     7.75     6.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A summary of options outstanding at September 30, 2001 is as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Options Outstanding               Options Exercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Weighted-
                                 Average
                                Remaining     Weighted-    Weighted-
                               Contractual     Average      Average
   Range of         Number         Life        Exercise      Number     Exercise
Exercise Prices   Outstanding   (In Years)      Price      Exercisable    Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $15 to $20         100,000        2.9         $ 17.48       100,000     $ 17.48
  20 to  25          59,000        5.5           21.64        53,000       21.55
  25 to  30         720,000        7.9           27.41       263,000       27.61
  30 to  34          88,000        6.2           31.86        51,000       32.11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    967,000        7.1         $ 26.44       467,000     $ 25.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Restricted stock is subject to an agreement requiring forfeiture by the employee
in the event of termination  of employment  within three years of the grant date
for reasons other than normal retirement, death or disability. In 2001, 2000 and
1999, the Company granted  44,000,  46,000 and 39,000 shares,  respectively,  of
restricted  stock  to  employees.  At  September  30,  2001,  84,000  shares  of
restricted stock were outstanding.

At September  30, 2001,  3,352,000  shares were  available for granting of stock
options or issuance of restricted stock.

Stock purchase plan

The Company has 1,072,000 shares of Common Stock available for issuance pursuant
to an employee stock purchase plan.  April 30, 2002 is the exercise date for the
current  offering.  The  purchase  price is the lower of 85% of the fair  market
value at the date of grant or the exercise date, which is one year from the date
of grant.  The  weighted-average  fair value of purchase rights granted in 2001,
2000 and 1999,  computed  using the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model,  were
$6.97, $5.32 and $6.34, respectively.

In 2001, 2000 and 1999 employees  purchased  85,000,  124,000 and 97,000 shares,
respectively, at a price of $19.20 in 2001, $19.31 in 2000 and $24.78 in 1999.

NOTE 8.  INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense consists of the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                         2001               2000              1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current:
  Federal ...............         $ 181,412          $  36,036         $  30,633
  State .................            28,937              6,612             5,652
Deferred ................           (29,446)             7,524             2,277
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  $ 180,903          $  50,172         $  38,562
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         2001     2000     1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computed "expected" income tax expense ..............    35.0%    35.0%    35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit ......     4.0      4.0      3.9
State income tax credits ............................    (2.4)      --       --
Net income of associated companies taxed
  at dividend rates .................................    (2.2)    (2.3)    (2.9)
Goodwill amortization ...............................     1.2      1.0      1.2
Other ...............................................     0.1     (1.1)    (2.4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         35.7%    36.6%    34.8%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Net deferred tax liabilities consist of the following components:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                   2001        2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property and equipment ...............................     $10,374     $10,190
  Equity in undistributed earnings of affiliates .......       1,238       1,457
  Deferred gain on sale of broadcast properties ........          --       3,266
  Identifiable intangible assets .......................      13,093      38,168
  Other ................................................         185         178
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              24,890      53,259
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred tax assets:
  Accrued compensation .................................       6,644       8,181
  Allowance for doubtful accounts ......................       2,707       1,341
  Capital loss carryforward ............................          --       4,161
  Other ................................................       2,691       1,443
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12,042      15,126
  Less valuation allowance .............................          --       4,161
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              12,042      10,965
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $12,848     $42,294
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net deferred tax liabilities have been included in the accompanying Consolidated
Balance Sheets as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                           2001               2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other current assets .....................          $  5,488           $  4,327
Noncurrent liabilities ...................           (18,336)           (46,621)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    $(12,848)          $(42,294)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company  established  a valuation  allowance  for deferred tax assets due to
limitations  imposed by the tax laws on the  ability to realize  the  benefit of
capital loss and acquired net operating loss carryforwards.  Deferred tax assets
relating to the carryforwards were reduced in 2001, 2000 and 1999 as the Company
utilized the loss carryforwards on its income tax returns.  The amounts relating
to these  reductions  in deferred tax assets were  reclassified  to income taxes
payable with no effect on income tax expense.  The acquired net  operating  loss
carryforwards were associated with discontinued operations sold in October 2000.
The sale also  resulted in a reduction  of the income taxes  payable  related to
acquired  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  and  a  corresponding  $2,467,000
reduction of goodwill.

NOTE 9.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

The carrying amounts of cash and cash  equivalents,  temporary cash investments,
accounts receivable,  and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the
short maturity of those  instruments.  The carrying value of other  investments,
consisting of debt and equity  securities in a deferred  compensation  trust, is
carried at fair  value  based  upon  quoted  market  prices.  Equity  securities
totaling $3,927,000,  consisting primarily of the Company's 17% ownership of the
nonvoting common stock of The Capital Times Company, are carried at cost, as the
fair value is not readily determinable.


The fair value of the  Company's  debt is estimated  based on the quoted  market
prices for the same or similar  issues or on the  current  rates  offered to the
Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.  The estimated fair values of
the Company's debt instruments are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Carrying
(Thousands)                                                  Amount   Fair Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 30:
  2001 .......................................              $173,400   $178,100
  2000 .......................................               222,932    216,300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 10.  EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)           2001       2000       1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income applicable to common stock:
  Continuing operations .......................   $ 59,457   $ 69,875   $ 56,821
  Discontinued operations .....................    254,771     13,788     11,152
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ....................................   $314,228   $ 83,663   $ 67,973
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares oustanding .....     43,873     44,099     44,347
Less non-vested restricted stock ..............         89         94         74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic average common shares outstanding .......     43,784     44,005     44,273
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock ...        305        355        588
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted average common shares .................     44,089     44,360     44,861
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common share:
  Basic:
    Continuing operations .....................   $   1.36   $   1.59   $   1.29
    Discontinued operations ...................       5.82       0.31       0.25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ....................................   $   7.18   $   1.90   $   1.54
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted:
    Continuing operations .....................   $   1.35   $   1.58   $   1.27
    Discontinued operations ...................       5.78       0.31       0.25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ....................................   $   7.13   $   1.89   $   1.52
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 11.  OTHER INFORMATION

Intangible assets related to continuing operations consist of the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                2001           2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill .........................................       $296,280       $296,130
Less accumulated amortization ....................         66,049         54,170
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          230,231        241,960
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncompete covenants and consulting
  agreements .....................................         22,805         23,878
Less accumulated amortization ....................         21,692         22,552
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            1,113          1,326
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer and subscriber lists ....................        109,831        113,084
Less accumulated amortization ....................         30,585         23,850
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           79,246         89,234
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         $310,590       $332,520
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Compensation  and other accrued  liabilities  related to  continuing  operations
consist of the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                                2001           2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation .....................................        $13,698        $13,831
Retirement and stock purchase plans ..............          4,615          4,915
Interest .........................................          5,537          6,022
Other ............................................          3,382          2,835
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          $27,232        $27,603
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows information is as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Year Ended September 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands)                                         2001       2000      1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash payments for:
  Interest, net of capitalized interest :
    2000 $1,389; 1999 $703 ....................   $ 13,025   $  5,783   $ 12,881
  Income taxes ................................    165,028     42,345     39,528
Program rights acquired by issuing
  long-term contracts .........................         --      7,794     12,417
Capital expenditures related to discontinued
  operations ..................................         --      7,102      7,493
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 12.  IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In July 2001,  the FASB issued  Statement No. 141,  Business  Combinations,  and
Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.  Statement 141 requires
that the purchase  method of  accounting  be used for all business  combinations
initiated  or  completed  after  June 30,  2001.  Statement  141 also  specifies
criteria  that  intangible   assets  acquired  in  a  purchase  method  business
combination  must  meet to be  recognized  and  reported  apart  from  goodwill.
Statement 142 will require that goodwill and intangible  assets with  indefinite
useful lives no longer be amortized,  but instead tested for impairment at least
annually.  Statement 142 will also require that intangible  assets with definite
useful lives be amortized over their respective  estimated useful lives to their
estimated  residual  values,  and reviewed for  impairment  in  accordance  with
Statement  121,  Accounting  for the  Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of.

The Company is required to adopt the  provisions of Statement  141  immediately,
except with regard to business combinations initiated prior to July 1, 2001, and
Statement  142  effective  October 1, 2002.  Furthermore,  any  goodwill and any
intangible asset determined to have an indefinite  useful life that are acquired
in a purchase  business  combination  completed  after June 30, 2001 will not be
amortized,  but will continue to be evaluated for impairment in accordance  with
the appropriate pre-Statement 142 accounting literature. Goodwill and intangible
assets  acquired in  business  combinations  completed  before July 1, 2001 will
continue to be amortized prior to the adoption of Statement 142.

Statement  141 will require,  upon  adoption of Statement  142, that the Company
evaluate its existing  intangible  assets and goodwill  that were  acquired in a
prior purchase business combination, and make any necessary reclassifications in
order to conform with the new criteria in Statement  141 for  recognition  apart
from  goodwill.  Upon adoption of Statement 142, the Company will be required to
reassess the useful lives and residual values of all intangible  assets acquired
in purchase business  combinations,  and make any necessary  amortization period
adjustments by the end of the first interim period after adoption.  In addition,
to the extent an intangible  asset is identified as having an indefinite  useful
life, the Company will be required to test the  intangible  asset for impairment
in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Statement  142 within the first interim
period.  Any  impairment  loss will be measured  as of the date of adoption  and
recognized as the cumulative  effect of a change in accounting  principle in the
first interim period.


As of  October  1,  2001,  the date of  adoption,  the  Company  expects to have
unamortized   goodwill  in  the  amount  of  approximately   $230,000,000,   and
unamortized  identifiable  intangible  assets  in the  amount  of  approximately
$80,000,000,  which will be subject to the  transition  provisions of Statements
141 and 142. Amortization expense related to goodwill was $7,936,000, $6,936,000
and  $6,380,000  for  the  years  ended  September  30,  2001,  2000  and  1999,
respectively.

Because of the extensive  effort needed to comply with adopting  Statements  141
and 142, it is not  practicable  to  reasonably  estimate the impact of adopting
these  Statements  on the  Company's  financial  statements  at the date of this
report.  The Company does not expect any transitional  impairment losses will be
required to be  recognized  as the  cumulative  effect of a change in accounting
principle.

Note 13. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands, Except Per Common Share Data)      1st       2nd        3rd        4th
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 
2001:

Operating revenue ........................   $118,625  $102,197   $111,001   $109,330
Income from continuing operations ........     21,015    13,141     15,736      9,565
Income (loss) from discontinued operations    250,887       (85)       (34)     4,003
Net income ...............................    271,902    13,056     15,702     13,568
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common share:
  Basic:
    Income from continuing operations ....   $   0.48  $   0.30   $   0.36   $   0.22
    Income from discontinued operations ..       5.75        --         --       0.09
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ...............................   $   6.23  $   0.30   $   0.36   $   0.31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted:
    Income from continuing operations ....   $   0.48  $   0.30   $   0.36   $   0.22
    Income from discontinued operations ..       5.71        --         --       0.09
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ...............................   $   6.19  $   0.30   $   0.36   $   0.31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2000:

Operating revenue ........................   $108,687  $100,973   $109,925   $111,928
Income from continuing operations ........     26,396    11,737     15,955     15,787
Income from discontinued operations ......      4,148     1,864      4,218      3,558
Net income ...............................     30,544    13,601     20,173     19,345
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common share:
  Basic:
     Income from continuing operations ...   $   0.60  $   0.27   $   0.36   $   0.36
     Income from discontinued operations .       0.09      0.04       0.10       0.08
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ...............................   $   0.69  $   0.31   $   0.46   $   0.44
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Diluted:
    Income from continuing operations ....   $   0.59  $   0.27   $   0.36   $   0.36
    Income from discontinued operations ..       0.09      0.04       0.10       0.08
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income ...............................   $   0.68  $   0.31   $   0.46   $   0.44
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT



To the Stockholders
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
 and subsidiaries
Davenport, Iowa

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated  and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2001 and 2000 and the related
consolidated statements of income,  stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the
years ended  September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999.  These financial  statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the  United  States of  America.  Those  standards  require  that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in all material  respects,  the financial  position of Lee Enterprises,
Incorporated  and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2001 and 2000 and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2001,
2000 and 1999 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.

In our opinion,  Schedule II included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year  ended  September  30,  2001,  presents  fairly the  information  set forth
therein,  in conformity with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted in the
United States of America.

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
- ---------------------------

Davenport, Iowa
November 9, 2001


REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

The  management  of  Lee  Enterprises,   Incorporated  is  responsible  for  the
preparation  and integrity of all  financial  statements  and other  information
contained in this Form 10-K. We rely on a system of internal  financial controls
to meet the  responsibility of providing accurate  financial  statements.  These
controls  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  assets  are  safeguarded,   that
transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization and that
the financial  statements are prepared in accordance with accounting  principles
generally accepted in the United States.

The  financial  statements  for each of the years covered in this Form 10-K have
been  audited  by  independent  auditors,   who  have  provided  an  independent
assessment as to the fairness of the financial  statements,  after  obtaining an
understanding of the Company's  systems and procedures and performing such other
tests as deemed necessary.

The Audit  Committee  of the Board of  Directors,  which is  composed  solely of
directors  who are not officers of the Company,  meets with  management  and the
independent  auditors to review the results of their work and to satisfy  itself
that  their  respective  responsibilities  are being  properly  discharged.  The
independent  auditors have full and free access to the Audit  Committee and have
regular  discussions  with the  Committee  regarding  appropriate  auditing  and
financial reporting matters.


/s/ Mary E. Junck
- ------------------------------------------------------
Mary E. Junck
President and Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Carl G. Schmidt
- ------------------------------------------------------
Carl G. Schmidt
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



                          LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Balance,    Additions   Charged      Deductions   Balance,
                                    Beginning    Charged    to Other        from        End
(Thousands)                          of Year    to Income   Accounts      Reserves    of Year
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts:                                            (1)

Year ended September 30:
  2001                               $ 3,344     $ 4,400   $     -        $ 3,325     $ 4,419
  2000                                 4,460       3,445    (1,203)(2)      3,358       3,344
  1999                                 4,110       3,776         -          3,426       4,460

Allowance for loss on loans:

Year ended September 30, 2001        $     -     $ 2,522   $     -        $     -     $ 2,522
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  Represents accounts written off as uncollectible, net of recoveries, which
     are immaterial.
(2)  September 30, 1999 balance for discontinued operations.
</FN>