'Tis the Season: IRS Scam Alert | Patch PM

Stories to share this evening:

IRS Phone Scam Alert This Tax Season

Tax season in upon us, and inasmuch that thieves know that as well, it's best to beware of phone calls from people claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service. >>> Read more.

White House Denies Considering 100,000 National Guard Troops For Immigration Raids
The Trump administration is not considering a proposal to activate as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to boost the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's raids on undocumented immigrants, dismissing a report from the Associated Press on such a plan. >>> Read more.

Patch Weekend Movie Guide: 'The Great Wall', 'A Cure for Wellness' and 'Fist Fight'
Here's what you need to know about this weekend's new movies "The Great Wall," "A Cure for Wellness," "Fist Fight" and more. Find out what to see and what to skip, plus check out the trailers. >>> Read more.

Virginia DMV Website Now Shows Estimated Wait Time For Services

• Need a new driver's license, or register a new vehicle? DMV websites now tell you approximately how long you'll have to wait in line.

Polls: Tim Kaine Has Big Early Lead in Senate Race, Trump's Approval Rate is Dismal

• A new poll shows former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine leading over two well-known Republicans, and Trump's rating remaining low.

Northern Virginia Home Sales Up in January

• However, inventory is down significantly, and prices just slightly, according to a market report.

Governor's Race: New Poll Shows Democrats Lead Republicans

• A new Quinnipiac University poll shows either of the two Democratic candidates would comfortably beat any of the four Republican candidates.

Man Sentenced Friday in Meth-By-Mail Scheme

• A California man was caught mailing meth to a D.C.-area dealer on at least two occasions.

Ben Carson Buys Vienna Home

• The president's nominee for director of Housing and Urban Development has bought this five-bedroom, four-bath home in Vienna.

Raccoon Hitchhikes to Rosslyn on Garbage Truck (Photo)

• A raccoon was just looking for an easy meal when it got the ride of its life Friday morning.

Will the Warm Weather Continue in DC?

• The unseasonably warm temperatures refuse to yield to the cold, raising the question of whether winter is done in the D.C. area.

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Va. and D.C. networks. The Patch community platform covers communities across the area.