Lee Enterprises Changes Independent Auditor to Grant Thornton

What Happened
Lee Enterprises, Inc. announced on September 2, 2026 that its Audit Committee approved the dismissal of BDO USA, P.C. as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The dismissal will be effective upon completion of BDO’s audit of Lee’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 27, 2026 and the filing of the Company’s 2026 Annual Report on Form 10‑K. Grant Thornton, LLP is identified as the successor independent registered public accounting firm.

Key Details

• Dismissal approved by the Audit Committee on September 2, 2026; effective after completion of the 2026 audit and 10‑K filing.
• BDO’s audit reports for fiscal years ended September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2024 were unmodified (no adverse opinion or disclaimer).
• No disagreements between the Company and BDO in the two most recent fiscal years and interim period; one prior reportable event—a material weakness in internal control over certain revenue‑related information—existed through June 23, 2024 and was remediated as of September 29, 2024.
• BDO has been authorized to respond fully to inquiries from Grant Thornton regarding the previously disclosed reportable event.

Why It Matters
A change in independent auditor is a material corporate governance event that can affect investor confidence in financial reporting continuity and audit quality. In this case, Lee reports no unresolved disagreements with BDO and notes the single prior material weakness was remediated, which may reassure investors. Watch for the Company’s 2026 Form 10‑K and Grant Thornton’s initial audit work for any changes in audit opinion or new disclosures.