Northern Major Music Festival Owner Initiating Lawsuit for Constitutional Rights Violation

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc. January 29, 2026

Karlstad, Minn – Mattracks and Kick’n Up Kountry have filed a civil lawsuit involving Wagon Wheel Ridge, where Kick’n Up Kountry Music Festival is held. The lawsuit names the Minnesota DNR, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and the Kittson County Soil and Water Conservation District. Roger Brazier, Sales Manager at Mattracks and Director of Operations for Kick-n Up Kountry said this is 6 years in the making.

While Wagon Wheel Ridge is widely known as a major music festival venue that brings significant economic activity to rural northern Minnesota, the lawsuit focuses on regulatory actions affecting the underlying land, including property access, inspections, drainage work, and the placement of an environmental lien that restricts financing and use of the property.

Brazier also said the goal is to have this resolved by the time Kick’n Up Kountry is to take place this June.

That was Roger Brazier, Sales Manager at Mattracks and Director of Operations for Kick-n Up Kountry.

No Real ID? Soon you will have to Pay TSA Screening Fee

Beginning Sunday, February 1st, airline passengers 18 and older who do not have a Real ID or other acceptable form of government‑issued identification will be required to pay a 45-dollar fee to verify their identity before passing through security checkpoints and boarding a flight. TSA Regional Spokesperson Jessica Mayle (MAY-lee) had this to say about the new verification policy.

Mayle says you can make your payment at tsa.gov

Travelers who show up at an airport without a receipt or an acceptable form of ID may not be allowed through security, and you may miss your flight. Mayle says your only other option would be to make the payment from your cellphone or laptop at the airport.

U.S. Senators Secure Federal Funding for Lake of the Woods County

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced that Congress approved 1 million in funding for Lake of the Woods County to get a specialized vessel for aquatic emergency response, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and public safety enforcement.

Klobuchar said “Lake of the Woods County is in one of the most remote and difficult-to-access areas in the contiguous United States, making it harder for first responders to reach people in need of emergency assistance”.

Smith added “I’m glad to have worked with local officials to secure funding for this critical, specialized public safety equipment to help in urgent, high-stakes water rescue missions. This equipment will help in dangerous search and rescue missions and ultimately save lives.”

Klobuchar and Smith have considered other projects that are expected to receive funding over the next several months.