Alcohol blamed in fiery collision Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a two-car crash and fire on Hiawatha Avenue in south Minneapolis that killed a 21-year-old man Thursday.

One of the cars was waiting for a stoplight in a southbound lane at E. 26th Street at 4:30 a.m. when a second vehicle smashed into it from behind, Sgt. William Palmer said. The collision started a fire in the first car. Officers said the driver was found dead inside the burning car.

Authorities haven't released the victim's name. The other driver, 33, was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation.

DAVID CHANEN

Teacher's aide fired for alleged relationship A substitute teacher's aide at Bloomington Kennedy High School has been fired after she allegedly had an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a male student, a district spokesman said Thursday.

The aide, who also was a parent volunteer at the high school, had been with the district for four years and had passed background checks for being an aide and a volunteer, said district spokesman Rick Kaufman. He said school officials "do not believe there is reason to believe there is more than one student" in this case.

"The allegation was made to us, we immediately terminated her employment with the district, and we turned it over to the Bloomington Police Department for investigation," he said.

PAUL WALSH