Exhibit 23



                         INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT



To the Stockholders
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
Davenport, Iowa


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on
Form S-8 No. 2-56652, No. 2-77121, No. 2-58393, No. 33-19725,  No. 33-46708, No.
333-6435 and No.  333-6433 and in the related  Prospectuses  of our report dated
November 5, 1999 with respect to the financial  statements  of Lee  Enterprises,
Incorporated, incorporated by reference and the schedule included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  September  30, 1999 and to the reference
to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectuses.



/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP



Davenport, Iowa
December 24, 1999