Baltimore Mayor Sheila A. Dixon says she wasn’t flipping a bird at photographers, despite a photograph of her in Tuesday’s edition of The Daily Record with her middle finger up as she seemingly glares into a camera. “I have a habit of using my fingers to put my glasses up,” Dixon said at a news conference that was broadcast on WJZ-TV. “I really think that, that was a low blow, and I really did not appreciate it, but, you know, such is life in this business. Now I’m going to be very careful how I put my glasses on and how I adjust them. But, you know, I really think that was a low blow.” The photo was taken by Daily Record staff photographer Rich Dennison at a City Council luncheon Monday. Adding to the notion that Dixon was giving photojournalists the finger was the timing. A camera crew, which had been ejected from the chamber, was allowed back in just moments after Dixon consulted with her staff. Plus, the mayor can’t be too fond of reporters these days. She’s been a favorite target of the media after being indicted Friday on 12 criminal counts, including theft, perjury and misconduct in office. The indictment alleges that Dixon accepted thousands of dollars in gifts from real estate developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, whom she dated in 2003 and 2004. She’s also accused of accepting gift cards from Lipscomb that were intended for needy children.

Kobe Bryant to have procedure repairing finger damage. After putting off the procedure so he could help the U.S. capture Olympic gold, Kobe Bryant says he’ll have surgery before the regular NBA season. Bryant plans to reveal the date of his procedure to repair ligament damage to his right pinkie at his kb24.com Web site. Bryant suffered the injury in a February game versus New Jersey . Recovery is expected to take about six weeks. L.A. ’s season begins Oct. 28 versus Portland .