Much of the discussion following Palm Beach billionaire Jeffrey Epstein’s arrest has shifted to U.S. labor secretary Alex Acosta. Acosta is facing calls to step down because of his role in negotiating a plea deal for Epstein in 2008 after he was accused of organizing a “cult-like” group of underage girls to perform sexual acts. Acosta was serving as U.S. attorney for South Florida at the time.

At a press conference yesterday in D.C., Acosta didn’t apologize to the victims, said that he wouldn’t resign, and argued that Epstein might have gotten less time if his office didn’t step in. That claim is already drawing criticism, most notably from Palm Beach’s former state attorney who said Acosta is “distorting the facts.”  And given the details of how the deal came together, which were recently detailed in a Miami Herald investigation.

The agreement kept Epstein from facing federal charges, further investigation by the FBI, and ended with him serving only 13 months in county jail.

In other news…

A play about a historic night in Miami will become a movie. Oscar winner Regina King is set to direct a film adaptation of “One Night in Miami,” a play that dramatizes the night Muhammad Ali won the heavyweight title in Miami Beach and celebrated with Malcolm X, Joe Lewis, and Sam Cooke at the Historic Hampton House. (Deadline)

South Miami plans to push back against the state’s ban on “sanctuary cities.” The City Commission voted to hire an attorney so it can file a lawsuit to challenge the ban. Florida doesn’t have any sanctuary cities, but state lawmakers still decided to formally ban them and require local law enforcement to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests. (Miami New Times)

All abooooard. Next stop, Boca Raton? Virgin Trains is looking to boost ridership on their trains by adding more stops. Fort Lauderdale is currently the middle stop between Miami and West Palm Beach, and the company plans to add three more stops which could include Hollywood, Boca Raton, and Pompano Beach. (Miami Herald)

We’re still accepting your questions about North Miami’s history, character, and culture. We’ve gotten a few good ones, but if there’s a burning question you have about the city, we’re all ears! Just submit it here.

Once we’re done collecting your questions, we’ll select three of them to put up for a vote. The question that gets the most votes will be the one we dive into and answer in a few weeks.

So keep them coming, and we’ll let you know the three finalists in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Friday is just around the corner, Miami. ✌️

– The New Tropic