11Alive.com's most-viewed stories for 2008 were compiled by our metrics software. A "view" is when someone (like yourself) opens the story in a web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or AOL). This list does not indicate relative importance of stories, only their popularity with our visitors.

11. Video Shows Burglar Throwing Cat Into the Air (38,332 views)

Police in Henry County investigating a burglary released video of the suspect throwing a cat into the air after committing the crime. The cat ran away, apparently uninjured. (Click here for video.)

10. Remember This? The Atlanta Tornado (40,163 views)

As an EF-2 tornado swept across downtown Atlanta on Friday night, Mar. 14, one local photographer snapped the shot of a lifetime, and he shared it exclusively with 11Alive.

9. Nichols' Mom Warned of 'Something Outrageous' (41,067 views)

Just three weeks before Brian Nichols's 2005 shooting spree, his mother sent a letter to Barry Hazen -- representing Nichols in a rape trial at the time -- warning him that "Brian is thinking of something outrageous in order to escape from the courtroom." (Click here for video.)

8. Mother Saves Daughter From Fire (45,921 views)

As a fast-moving fire ripped through apartments in south Fulton County last November, forcing a mother to drop her two-year-old daughter from a second-story window to get her away from the flames. She was not hurt, though the mother suffered minor injuries.

7. Daycare Owner's Son Confesses Child Molestation (53,829 views)

The teenage son of a daycare owner in Floyd County has confessed to molesting a child under his care. A police investigator said there was inappropriate touching between the teenager and a young boy, and that the teenager confessed. (Click here for video.)

6. NASA Picture Shows Man Walking on Mars (76,270 views)

An image from the Spirit Rover on the surface of Mars caused a stir when it was released to the public. Taken in 2004, the picture appears to show a figure walking among the planet's rocks. The photo gallery we posted along with the story gathered an additional 108,767 views.

5. Homes Destroyed by Fast-Moving Storm (89,032 views)

A line of quick-moving severe thunderstorms hit the Metro Atlanta area in late February, blowing trees onto homes and causing widespread power outages.

4. Calf Born With Virginia Tech Logo (112,833 views)

A family of Virginia Tech alumni was lucky that a calf born on their farm had a marking on her forehead similar to the Virginia Tech "VT" logo. The calf was to be a dairy cow when she reached maturity.

3. Nichols Shot Court Reporter Over Baked Goods (124,896 views)

During the Brian Nichols trial, his psychiatrist told the court that court reporter Julie Brandau was shot because Nichols believed her simple act of bringing baked goods to jurors was part of a vast conspiracy against him.

2. If I Didn't See It With My Own Eyes... (323,317 views)

Crissy Thompson has become known as the "Coupon Mom" after showing 11Alive's Jaye Watson how to save a ton of money on groceries, and even how to get money back using combinations of coupons and buy-one-get-one-free deals.

1. Human Trafficking Charges for Judge, Son (462,335 views)

A former Fulton County magistrate judge, his son -- a Forsyth County sheriff's deputy -- and the deputy's wife have been indicted on charges of human trafficking. They convinced an Indian national to come to the United States in 2003 under the impression that she would be acting as a nanny. However, the accused refused to pay the woman and threatened her freedom if she did not work for free. (Click here to watch video.)