***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Mr. Jagger:
1. You now know the difference because Mr. Roson Bravo has given you an excellent answer.
2. You now know the difference because of Mr. Roson Bravo's excellent answer.
3. I still read print newspapers because I am an older person. (Most younger people read only online newspapers.)
4. I still read print newspapers because of my being an older person.
5. Because California has a drought [not enough water], residents must not waste water.
6. Because of California's drought, residents must not waste water.
James
P.S. Here in the United States, many native speakers also use "due to" instead of "because of." Most books say that "due to" may now be considered a preposition.